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26 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MAY 2019 | Yiddish Culture Club Cruzin' Cronies Last month we attempted to enlighten and amuse you with an essay about the automobile industry. We began with the first horseless carriages, went on to the dashing goggles-and-scarf-wearing playboys, and the Industrial Revolution. We traversed the war years, the advent of the assembly line and the beginning of labor unions. This month we're offering a short treatise about automobile racing. The world's first gasoline powered automobile competition took place on July 22, 1894. Organized by a French magazine, it was a combination reliability trial, auto race, and publicity stunt to boost magazine circulation. One hundred and two competitors paid an entrance fee for the qualifying 31-mile round. Only 69 drivers were able to finish the round, and only 25 of those were chosen for the main event, 79 miles from Paris to Rouen. The winner arrived in Rouen after six hours and 48 minutes, at an average speed of 13 mph. He finished just 3' 30" ahead of the runner up. Cars were judged on speed, handling, and safety characteristics. Thus began the "need for speed," which (sometimes unfortunately) continues to this day. With all that history, it's no wonder the Cruzin' Cronies enjoy showing off their spiffy classic cars. Our aim is to encourage new members to check out our club, the Cruzin' Cronies. Join us at 8 am on the first Saturday of each month with our display of classic cars in the Main Clubhouse parking lot. A short meeting in the Multipurpose Room follows at 8:30 am, and then we go to breakfast at a local restaurant. For more information call Sandra Glickman, (951) 692-6991. We commemorate Yom Ha Shoah: "Holocaust Memorial Day of Remembrance," on Wed., May 8, at 7 pm in the South Clubhouse with the showing of the documentary The Rescue Mission of Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus. In 1939 as Hitler's armies were ravaging European countries and decimating the Jewish population of those countries, this successful, highly assimilated couple from Philadelphia, traveled to Nazi Germany and Austria, and with help from B'rith Sholom Fraternal Organization saved 50 Jewish children in Vienna from death by bringing them to Philadelphia and finding them homes. The film, written and directed by Steven Pressman, is based on the memoirs of Eleanor Kraus, grandmother of Pressman's wife Liz Perle, and is narrated by Alan Alda and Mamie Gummer. The documentary premiered on Yom Ha Shoah in 2013 and features appearances and interviews with some of those children who were rescued at ages five to 14 but are now senior citizens living in the United States as well as Israel. The documentary has won awards for production. The YCC welcomes all to our meetings. There will be a $3 charge for non member guests, no charge for members. Coffee and cake will be served as always. We hope to see you all there for this unusual film.