the club has long been criticized for alleged discrimination against jews and blacks. sammy davis, jr. was turned away at the door. according to socialite c.z. guest, she and her husband were temporarily suspended from the club after they brought jewish guests — estée lauder and her husband — to a party there in 1972. joseph kennedy, father of the slain president, resigned his membership in the early '60s "to avoid scrutiny for belonging to a club known for excluding blacks and jewish people."