The
Ethical Culture
Society of Essex County
The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County
Programs each Sunday at 11:00 AM
516 Prospect Street, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
Corner of Parker and Prospect
Phone 973-763-1905
Current Week
September 10, 2017 Dr. Jeffrey Rubin, "The Art of Flourishing"
In several decades of studying, practicing and teaching Western psychotherapeutic and Eastern meditative disciplines, Dr. Jeffrey Rubin has discovered that combining both paths is profoundly more effective than following just one approach. In his book, The Art of Flourishing, he integrates meditative, psychotherapeutic and yogic practices to show readers how to live well and thrive, even in times of challenge. Two main aspects to his flourishing talk will focus on genuine self-care — building into our lives what helps us thrive and achieve enduring fulfillment within our relationships.
Jeffrey B. Rubin, PhD, practices psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy and teaches meditation in New York City and Bedford Hills, New York. He is considered one of the leading integrators of the Western psychotherapeutic and Eastern meditative traditions. A Sensei in the Nyogen Senzaki and Soen Nakagawa Rinzai Zen lineage and the creator of meditative psychotherapy, a practice that he developed through insights gained from decades of study, teaching and helping people flourish, Jeffrey is the author of two eBooks, Meditative Psychotherapy and Practicing Meditative Psychotherapy as well as the critically-acclaimed books, The Art of Flourishing, Psychotherapy and Buddhism, The Good Life and A Psychoanalysis for Our Time. Dr. Rubin has taught at various universities, psychoanalytic institutes and Buddhist and yoga centers. He lectures around the country and has given workshops at the United Nations, the Esalen Institute, the Open Center and the 92nd Street Y. His pioneering approach to psychotherapy and Buddhism has been featured in The New York Times Magazine. His website is drjeffreyrubin.com.
September 17 Lucy Schmitz, "People with Disabilities and Self-advocacy"
Lucy Schmitz will speak about the differences between historically typical forms of activism for the rights of people with disabilities and self-advocacy, give a brief history of the emergence of self-advocacy during the 1960’s and ‘70s, and talk about it’s place in the world of disability-rights advocacy. Additionally, because her work focuses on empowering people with disabilities to advocate for themselves both politically and in their daily lives, Lucy will speak about the impact of learning self-advocacy skills on marginalized communities — this is what makes her most excited about her job.
Lucy Schmitz grew up in Maplewood, and was formerly the Youth Representative for the National Ethical Service. She graduated in May from the Dual BA program between Columbia University and Sciences Po (France’s leading university in the social sciences), earning two BA’s, one from each school. At Sciences Po, she studied history and political science and at Columbia she studied Political Science and Human Rights. Now, Lucy is one of two self-advocacy specialists for Adapt Community Network (formerly United Cerebral Palsy), where she teaches self-advocacy skills to adults with developmental disabilities.
September 24 Ethical Education Initiative, “How do I fit in?”
Welcome back! The Families for Ethical Education Initiative has been busy planning for our upcoming year. We will be meeting on the fourth Sunday of each month with our first platform on September 24th. This year we will be exploring the question, “How do I fit in?” We will explore all aspects of our lives, family friends, school, work, etc. Our theme in every event is built upon ethical culture’s perspective that all persons have inherent worth and have a place in the global family.
The Sunday morning structure will stay the same. We will begin all together as a multi-generational community. Then the students will leave and through literature, art and music will explore the week’s idea while the adults will stay and do the same exploration based on a topic by a visiting speaker. We will come together at the end to share our explorations. Then a bit of refreshment before we all head off. All information, including dates and topics will be available in September. We want you to plan for the year!
This year Amy Blake will continue to serve as Curriculum Director for Families for Ethical Education and Shannon Kirk, a professional educator, will join as Pre-K instructor. Martha Gallahue will coordinate the initiative with the Board and the Educational Committee, (in addition to Amy, Shannon and Martha) Betty Levin and Meredith Sue Willis. We are grateful to both Elaine Durbach, Sunday Program Coordinator, and Jeanine Rosh, Personnel Coordinator and Treasurer of the Board, for their support.
Please join us September 24th for another inter-generational event as we begin our school year together. This month we’ll be having an open house to get to know each other. “How do I fit in?” is our ethical exploration for the year. Everyone has a place at Ethical Culture. Come find yours! These activities are for both children and adults as well as an opportunity to meet the curriculum director and pre-k teacher and all those involved. We hope to see you on the 24th. Bring a friend!
Oct. 1 Audrey Winkler: “Jespy House”
Audrey Winkler, the executive director of Jespy House, will explain who JESPY serves and
that we have been here for almost 40 years: JESPY's presence in the community; that we are interconnected in every way from housing, to shopping and dining; our “buying power”; our success with the Work Readiness and Employment Engagement program and that so many of our clients are engaged in employment; what JESPY means to our clients; the Medicaid/DDD challenges to our clients and our sustainability.
Audrey Winkler serves as Jespy House’s executive director. She is the Principal of OMG! Organizational Management Group, a nonprofit consulting firm, and has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector specializing in organizational management and business operations.
Winkler is also the Director at Seton Hall University’s Nonprofit Sector Resource Institute and its Center for Community Research and Engagement, and serves as an adjunct professor in Seton Hall’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration where she teaches graduate courses in organizational and leadership management.
“Audrey’s deep experience in the nonprofit sector and real passion for helping nonprofits reach their full potential are unmatched,” said Elaine Katz, President of the JESPY House Board of Trustees. “We are confident she is the right person to lead JESPY into an even more dynamic and family-oriented future.”
Prior to starting her own company in 2002, Ms. Winkler was Vice President of Operations and Real Estate for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Director of Operations for the Liberty Science Center. She has a BS in Environmental Planning and Design from Cook College, Rutgers University and an MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University.
Oct. 8 Dr. Mindy Fullilove: “Faith+Work”
Dr. Fullilove will describe “the journey of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex
County from discouragement at a shrinking congregation, through discernment of a path forward, to an exciting new venture in urban ministry.”
The FUU congregation was facing similar challenges to those confronting our Ethical society with the struggle to attract new members. While the teachings and traditions are different, it shares our commitment to the greater good — and there is much we can learn from the ways it has found to continue to serve that vision.
Mindy Thompson Fullilove is a Professor of Urban Policy and Health at The New School. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, having received her training at New York Hospital-Westchester Division (1978-1981) and Montefiore Hospital (1981-1982). She has studied epidemics of poor communities, as well as ways to repair them. From her research she has published over 100 articles and as well as six books including: “The House of Joshua: Meditations on Family and Place”; “Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America and What We Can Do About It”; and “Urban Alchemy: Restoring Joy in America’s Sorted-Out Cities”. She has received many awards for her work including inclusion in the “Best Doctors in New York,” two honorary doctorates (Chatham College, 1999, and Bank Street College of Education, 2002) and election to honorary membership in the American Institute of Architects.
Oct. 15 Dr. Morris Silver: “Virtuous leaders; virtuous citizens”
Morris Silver will address the current crisis facing the United States by upholding examples of great leadership. His thesis is that virtuous leaders inspire virtue in the nation, and vice versa — that a virtuous citizenry demands moral clarity from its political leaders.
Among those he will portray are William Wilberforce, the British social reformer who fought for an end to slavery in British colonies; George Washington, who set the United States on the path of true democracy by refusing to take on the powers of an emperor or king, and Mahatma Gandhi, who championed the cause of peaceful revolution and led India's fight for independence from Britain.
Dr. Silver is a longtime member of the Ethical Culture Society with a lifelong interest in history and politics around the world. “I am a retired dentist as my profession but an ethical culturist as a full time job. I am married to Ruth and I have three adult children from a previous marriage. I travel a lot, I am a reader and love life.”
Oct. 22 Family Education
As we explore our place in the world this school year, our first visiting guest for our Educational Initiative is Sharon Goldman.
Growing up in an Orthodox Jewish community on Long Island, Sharon always struggled to
fit in. Shy yet outgoing, she wished she could lead songs and prayers in her synagogue, but girls weren't allowed, according to tradition. Filled with doubts about the rigid structure of her religion and questions about her culture's history and identity, she often felt suffocated and discouraged. As a disconnected young adult, she eventually abandoned nearly all of the traditions she was raised with. But it was only decades later, as a secular singer-songwriter in an interfaith marriage, did she delve into the unaddressed issues of her youth with a deep artistic exploration. The result was “KOL ISHA (A Woman's Voice),” an album that is by turns deeply feminist, conflicted, and yearning. The songs document her journey to find her voice as a passionate woman; a lifelong questioner; and a constant seeker. Through this journey, she was able to discover a sense of reconnection to her past — on her own terms. “What’s most striking about Goldman’s song cycle is that it’s as universal as it is rooted in centuries of tradition … a radical departure, and a genuinely brave move for her, an examination of her conflicted roots as a secular Jewish artist raised in the Modern Orthodox tradition.” - Alan Young, New York Music Daily
As a community we will begin together. Then Ms. Blake will take our students to explore the topic through art, literature and song. Our younger students will be supervised with crafts and movement activities while exploring their place in the world. We will come together at the end to share our explorations and enjoy a light snack.
October 29 Michael and Lindsey Minor, “Helping South Orange/Maplewood youngsters become ethical leaders”
Michael Minor and his 12-year-old daughter Lindsay will speak about an educational program to help South Orange/Maplewood (SOMA) youngsters become ethical citizens and leaders.
South Orange/Maplewood School District students need tools necessary in counteracting the daily exposure to literally thousands of negative influences and messaging through the
media and their peer engagement. Research on the subject reveals that schools that introduce character education have fewer incidences of disciplinary referrals, suspensions and truancy. Studies further reveal that character education creates a more positive learning environment, increased attendance and significantly improved academic performance.
The disturbing events of 2017 have uncovered an unprecedented need to provide our SOMA transitioning elementary, middle and high schoolers an opportunity to develop the tools, language and agency necessary as they make that transition to leaders, to citizens… to SOMA Citizen.
“SOMA Citizens” is a comprehensive 6-month program where a selected, prepared group of SOMS elementary, middle and high school students engage each other around social justice, community service, teamwork, character building, celebration of difference and positive peer pressure. The goals of the program are to create a “student to student” engagement that creates connectedness, empowerment, positive, healthy, engaged student leaders, equipped and ready for the social emotional transitions through their academic, social and life experience.
Benefits of SOMA Citizens Program:
• Ethical and Responsible Leaders
• Care and Respect for “all” Peoples
• Harnessing the power of Forgiveness
• Restorative Practice
• Engaged Learning Environment
Michael Minor tells us, “Our family has lived in South Orange for over 15 years, during which time we have had the privilege of raising 3 incredibly different children, Lindsey Josephine, 12, Maximilian, 9, and Marshall, 7.
“At a relatively young age, Lindsey began displaying a particular agency around justice, feminism and equality. After two unsuccessful campaigns, one for 5th grade school president, it became apparent that Lindsey’s worldview would be defined by those ideals.
“She became aware in the 5th grade that some of her white colleagues appeared to have a better grasp of math then her black colleagues and decided to pull together a diverse group of girls to socialize while learning different math techniques from each other. The group was named the Determinants, and the experiment was a success. Through this experience, Lindsey decided to use this core team to create a second group, this group would advocate for issues affecting girls like bullying, social stigmatizing, preference, race and culture. RED, Ready to Empower Daughters was born. While Lindsey’s social and emotional transition to middle school was uneventful, she was often concerned by the difficulties some girls experienced trying to “fit in”, and was angered at how others, mainly girls but also boys treated each other. Saddened by this, one day she began a discussion about what she could do to help prepare girls for what to expect when making the transition from elementary to middle School. The final straw came when the incidents of racial hatred and bigotry began surfacing in our elementary and middle schools, she decided this was the moment to act. It was time for SOMA Citizens.
“Watching this, I was fascinated at the power of presence and commitment to purpose one individual could possess at such a young age and experience level. It forced me to rethink and redirect my purpose toward embracing more directly the ambitions and passions of my children.
“My Role: as father, community leader and volunteer for various town initiatives to include: Chair, SMS Unity Committee; President, SOMA Dems; Founding member, PARES; SO Community Relations Committee; SO District Leader; SO Democratic Committee; Board member, MSO Wrestling; Foundation Board, Essex County College; and Essex County Lead, Victory 2017 Gubernatorial Campaign.
“My role has been to pull together the community, administration, school, and professional assets to move Lindsey’s idea closer to a reality. In her words, “Dad, you can help me but you can't join, you’re not a girl.’”
Nov. 5 Lou Kimmel, “Empowering Workers”
Louis Kimmel will outline the mission and methods of New Labor, the worker center created to empower workers to champion their own priorities. He is co-founder and current executive director of the organization in New Jersey. It has 3 locations and over 3,000 dues paying members. His first years at New Labor were spent as a “salt” in temporary employment agencies with the purpose of identifying the needs of workers in this industry in the community of New Brunswick. Based on the information and the relationships developed with him, the organization designed its program work. The worker center started with educational programs in English as a second language and computer classes. From there it evolved to health and safety in the work place and leadership development. He later became the organization’s Director of Operations and Membership and for the last 2 years has been the director of the organization. Lou has worked at and been involved with the growth of New Labor since 2000.
Kimmel has developed participatory educational curriculum that utilizes the small group activity method for a variety of workplace health and safety trainings, and has trained hundreds of workers at different worker centers to be peer-to-peer trainers.
Kimmel has successfully carried out the mission of New Labor to “Empower workers to use their voices to make changes in their communities, in their workplaces and in politics.” Currently, Kimmel is working on collaborations with the United Steel Workers and also serves as Co-Chair of the Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) worker center steering committee as well as the IWJ Board, and serves on the executive boards of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice and New Jersey Work Environment Council.
[If you would like to support the work of New Labor, donations can be made to the organization, or (for tax purposes) Education & Training Institute, Inc. EIN 22-3665469. If you prefer to donate online, it can be done through Paypal: https://goo.gl/VYjXVX]
Nov. 12 Anne Klaeysen, "Ethics of Contemplation"
During my summer sabbatical, I visited a childhood friend who is a Sister of St. Joseph in the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. She co-founded and operates Cobblestone Springs, an
interdenominational retreat center in the Finger Lakes area, where I gave a workshop on “All-American Humanism.” That evening I spent an hour in silence with her and the other residents and visitors. At breakfast the next morning, she asked whether Humanism had a contemplative practice. While my colleagues and I have addressed humanist spirituality, I had to concede that it hasn’t yet taken the form of a practice or discipline, perhaps because we are so focused on action. Upon reflection, however, I discovered that I do practice contemplation in various ways that have an ethical impact.
Anne Klaeysen is a Leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, Humanist Chaplain at New York University, and Ethical Humanist Religious Life Advisor at Columbia University. She holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Hebrew Union College in pastoral care and counseling, as well as masters degrees in business from NYU and German from SUNY at Albany. Anne serves as co-Dean of the Humanist Institute and co-chair of The Encampment for Citizenship.
Nov. 19 Abby Cotler, “Puerto Rico”
In response to an invitation to speak at Ethical, Abby wrote: “My mom and dad are both from Puerto Rico. My mom is from a little mountain town called Adjuntas. My father is from the coastal city of Mayagüez. They both met here in the 1940s in New York and moved back to Caguas, Puerto Rico in 1975. There are 8 children. All the children were born and raised in New York except for my youngest brother David who moved to Caguas with my parents when he was 12. I am the 7th of the 8 children.
“I have always loved to hear my mom tell me stories about the island and have kept up with its history and culture while living in the U.S. I have also done some research on my own about its politics and status with the U.S. Puerto Rico has had a sad history of colonialism first with Spain and later with the United States. A lot of what has happened recently, economically and the lack of U.S. hurricane response in Puerto Rico, has to do with Puerto Rico’s economic and political relationship with the U.S.
“I was stuck in Puerto Rico after the hurricane and was surprised with the lack of response and the minimal help we received. We were abandoned and ignored for too long and help came too little, too late.”
Abby is Marty and Barbara Cotler's daughter-in-law and lives in Maplewood where she has been active in the Community Coalition on Race and many other community endeavors, from being a recipient this January of the Beloved Community Award of the South Orange Civic Organization to currently serving as a co-chair of the SOMSD Parenting Center Toy Drive. Her first-hand account, "Reflections on Hurricane María," appeared online in The Village Green (www.villagegreennj.com) on October 7.
Nov. 26 Amy Blake, Family Education
In November, the Educational Initiative will begin a series of ethical education
programs to explore key concepts within this year’s theme of fitting in. The program will begin with a read aloud to introduce the theme. All students will then leave the room to explore this theme, preschoolers with Shannon while school age children will do the same type of inquiry with Amy. After children leave the Platform room, Martha will show a short video fr
om the ethics video library on the website of the American Ethical Union. The first video will be “Finding Your Element” to open the conversation about the importance of finding one’s purpose, a key to fitting into the world in a meaningful way. Martha, Amy and Shannon will use an inquiry-based approach to elicit ideas and to develop thoughtful conversation about ethical living in connection with one’s self-understanding. The videos are appropriate for youth, 6th grade and up, and adults. They are designed to illustrate how ethical education unfolds today.
Amy and Shannon will continue to use crafts and music along with story-telling to reinforce learning while providing children with a playful experience.
Children will return to the main meeting room for a closing song.
Dec 3 Dylan O’Byrne, Active Pursuit and the Model Citizen
WGS is a group that involves young people in community volunteering and anyone who encountered Dylan O’Byrne and his volunteers at the recent Fun Day in South Orange was impressed by how friendly and helpful these young guys were. Dylan will address the questions: what is the WGS, what it intends to accomplish, and how it goes about accomplishing those goals.
Dylan O’Byrne was born and raised in Wood-Ridge, NJ, by his mother and immigrant father. He attended Seton Hall University and liked the town so much, he purchased his first property in South Orange before his third year here. He currently financially advises for several clients, recently closed out an Event Management business, has intentions to purchase another property soon, works for the Teamsters, and helps to organize a large portion of the WGS.
Dec 10 Miriam Eisenstein Ebsworth, Teaching Language as a Vehicle for Peace
“Actionthroughwords,” an online course for English learners,explores the work of the UN worldwide to promote peace, health, and understanding. Originally designed for adults, a group of high school English learners act as consultants and reflect on the content and affordances of technology.
Dr. Miriam Eisenstein Ebsworth, consultant in developing the site, is Director of PhD Programs in Multilingual Multicultural Studies at NYU Steinhardt, New York NY. She resides in South Orange NJ.
Dec 17 Amy Blake, Family Education
Joining us for the December Educational Initiative is Abbie Slatus. Ms. Slatus is a licensed
social worker and currently serves as the Director of Counseling Services for Harlem Village Academy Elementary School. Ms. Slatus has worked with children from kindergarten through twelfth grade in public, charter, and private schools. Her work primarily focuses on supporting students, teachers, and families through the use of children’s literature and guiding the social emotional programming offered at her school. Ms. Slatus feels books open a door into authentic and honest communication, even for the most difficult topics, between children and the adults in their lives.
Ms. Slatus’s conversation will be based on her experiences in using children’s books to support the social emotional learning of students, particularly for kindergarten through fifth grade. Topics may include trauma, race and ethnicity, bullying, bereavement, natural disasters, and adoption.
Students will explore topics that are of importance to them through literature, music and crafts.
Dec 24 Colloquy on Faith and its different forms; with Phyllis Hackett and members and friends.
Dec 31 Sharon Goldman, “Music and Musings
Singer and songwriter Sharon Goldman, who spoke and performed for us in October,
Sharon Goldman is a New York-raised, New Jersey-based singer-songwriter whose “intense, insightful, vivid” storytelling is a “clinic in how to paint an indelible picture with the simplest images and symbols.”
Over several well-received albums, she has combined heartfelt portraits and memorable lyrics with unforgettable melodies and pure, precise, expressive vocals — taking a folk/pop sensibility to new artistic heights. She performs regularly at house concerts, folk coffeehouses, festivals, arts and cultural venues and community centers. Her latest album, “Kol Isha (A Woman’s Voice)”, offers a bold, unique song journey merging Jewish imagery, myth and memories with a modern, feminist perspective. She digs deep into memories of prayers and rituals; of roads not taken; and of voices not heard. She also mines the stories of biblical and mythical women for creative inspiration.
Sharon was recently honored with a Semi-Formal showcase spot at the 2017 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference. The songs from KOL ISHA were also honored with a finalist spot at the 2017 South Florida Folk Festival song writing competition and three Honorable Mentions at the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest.
Jan 7 Suzanne Gilbert, "Loss, Love and Redemption: the Literature of Search and
Reunion"
A new genre has emerged in English arts and letters during the last 35 years that can best be described as search and reunion in non-fiction. It echoes an ancient tradition in religion, myth and world literature that is human, universal and poetic. That is the tradition of the hero, often an adoptee, searching and bringing back a gift to civilization from his reunion. This presentation will take a look at the catalysts in our own times that have us turning anew to a literary form of loss, love and redemption. This genre of search and reunion is represented by over 550 works of both fiction and non-fiction. We will take a lively look at the emerging search and reunion genre through the lens of biblical scholarship, Boswell, Jung, Rank and Wells. "Suzanne Gilbert" is the pen name of the contributor to two anthologies, an NPR "The Moth" story slam monologue "When the Unborn Give Birth" and the author of the novel Tapioca Fire set in New Jersey, Bangkok and greater Chiang Rai, Thailand, Tokyo and Nikko, Japan, and Corea, Maine.
January 14, 2018: Colloquy on Our Personal Responses to Dr. King's Message and Example
Join us for a circle discussion on what Dr. King's message and example meant to us as individuals as well as to the country and the world.
Rescheduled for March 11, 2018:
Jan 14 Nkosi Anderson, "Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Philosophy of Love and Lessons for Today"
Nkosi Anderson, a PhD student in Christian Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York, is our opening speaker for the 2015-2016season, and the first speaker in our new series, "What Ethical Culture Can Learn from Other Religions, Philosophies, and Traditions." He will be discussing what Christianity means to him, and how its principles inspire his commitment to social justice and service to the community.
Nkosi Anderson's family has deep multigenerational roots in South Orange and Maplewood. He is the son of Drs. Herman and Adunni Anderson and brother to Anwar Anderson.
A product of First Baptist Church of South Orange, Nkosi graduated from Columbia High School in 1997. He has worked in public education, government and academia, and with religious, nonprofit and community groups.
Nkosi remains committed to a number of movements for social justice and is active in a variety of organizations including South Mountain Peace Action, The Poverty Initiative/Kairos Center, Mother's Kitchen and The Roots Project, Inc.Nkosi holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in African-American Studies, both from Columbia University. He also received his MDiv from Union Theological Seminary, NY.
Jan 21 All Things Arctic with Moki Kokoris, Amy Blake, and Shannon Kir,. Family Ethical Education Program.
A renowned expert on "All Things Arctic" and environmental ethics, Moki Kokoris founded her own outreach education program called "90-north" after returning from the geographic North Pole. In addition to being Arctic Editor of various journals, she holds a position at the United Nations where her work focuses primarily on the impacts of climate and societal change on the indigenous peoples of the Circumpolar North. Moki will introduce various topics that address how each of us can influence communities around the world, proving that we are all indeed connected, and that becoming better stewards of our planet and being mindful of our actions are essential to humankind's survival.
Open discussion is enthusiastically encouraged. Our students will explore their relationship with our planet through the book, This Is The Earth by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander. We will brainstorm ideas that empower us to make a difference in the world.
Jan 28 Inette and 'Iokepa Hanalei 'Imaikalani: "The Return Voyage: On the Path of the Ancestors"
On a return voyage of another kind, journalist Inette Miller Imaikalani and her husband
'Iokepa Hanalei 'Imaikalani have agreed to come back to Ethical for the third time, to share with us their ongoing campaign to help the native people of Hawaii reclaim their great ancestral heritage, and their contemporary rights. As engaged as they are in that localized struggle, they shine a light for all of us on the power of inherited wisdom and the strength to be drawn from our roots. In addition to learning about the colonization of the Islands, the movement for indigenous rights and independence, we will hear about ho'oponopono, a traditional Hawaiian peacemaking technique. Iokepa has also promised to treat us to some aboriginal Hawaiian chanting. 'Iokepa, the son of a Hawaiian father and American mother, was a successful entrepreneur on the mainland, who relinquished "everything I worked for all my life" to embrace his aboriginal identity and reawaken his ancestral culture. Inette is a Jewish woman from Baltimore who surrendered a privileged writer's life to join him, camping on Hawaiian beaches with little food and no money, and walking the paths of his ancestors. Together, they packed all they owned into three suitcases and began their ancestor-driven "Return Voyage" across America. Their message: what Native Hawaiians lived for 12,000 years — ritual practices that prevented war — have profound implications for the 21st century. For more about the nature of their work, and to hear 'Iokepa chant, visit: ReturnVoyage.com.
Feb 4 Stanislav Jaracz, “Electric Vehicles 101”
The buzz on electric vehicles is getting stronger every year. Yet, it is still not clear for many people, what
are the benefits and limitations of driving electric and why should we care? Why should we switch? People always have many questions: How far can I go on a charge? Where do I charge them? Are they safe? How do I service them? Internal combustion engines moved a long way over the 100 year history of personal transportation, it is cheap and the infrastructure is in place. Yet, this technology has reached its limits and it is time to move on. In this seminar you will learn: (1) The basics of electric drive technology; (2) The right and wrong way of choosing a vehicle; (3) Who benefits and who loses on EVs; and (4) Current and future EV lineup. Stanislav (Stan) Jaracz is an Electric Vehicle (EV) advocate and promoter of renewable energies as one of the most impactful way of achieving social justice and responsibility in our society. He is a member of NJ Electric Auto Association and Plugin America and actively promotes electric drive at numerous events over the last 5 years. He teaches about the many benefits of EVs. He works with NJ municipalities and their Green Teams to accelerate deployment of EVs and charging infrastructure. Stan is passionate to learn more about sustainable living, applying it in his personal life and then sharing with others to inspire the same. Stan moved to the USA from the Czech Republic in 1998 for the purposes of PhD studies at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University. After receiving his PhD in Organic Chemistry in 2004, he moved to enhance his experience at University of Stony Brook. In 2007, Stan moved to NJ where he has worked at various science positions in the consumer products industry.
Feb 11 Joanne Douds, “The GreenFaith Certification at St. Andrew and Holy Communion Church, South Orange — How to Transform a Community to Live a Sustainable Life”
Joanne Douds was born to Swedish parents making her life sustainable from the beginning. She began
working with the head of San Francisco’s Baywatchers, and got involved in raising money there at a grand gala event. Seated next to Robert Kennedy Jr., she was asked to volunteer with Riverkeeper, which protects the Hudson River. Here lies the beginnings of her work. The GreenFaith Certification presented itself in NJ and she proposed St. Andrew & Holy Communion commit to achieving this for it’s community. Reverend Fletcher Harper, its founder, was a pioneer in the 1980’s in uniting faith leaders to make an impact on environmental issues. This certification was the culmination of much work to impact large groups of people and teach them to protect their health and the environment. Today, the impact for GreenFaith has turned nationwide. Now, embarking on a project called “Green Circles,” the mission is to bring local people together to make a greater impact as a group and a greater impact in an area. The Ethical Society and SAHC are now part of a “Green Circle” and are looking to enlighten the people of this area about a greater way of life.
Feb 18 Weather Cancellation –
Betty Levin, “Becoming Age 92 — Joining the 90’s Crowd”
Inspired by Mel Brooks, Norman Lear and Carl Reiner, ages 90, 94 and 95 respectively, an HBOdocumentary was created, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast.” I’ve somewhat joined their organization. Not that I have their talent and humor, I’ve nevertheless somewhat entered their sphere, feeling full of ‘piss and vinegar.’ My presentation will discuss this unique time, full of gratitude, awe, sense of fun — how do you make it count? Yes, I possess some health issues. As long as I can keep them under control with reasonable efforts, I will use whatever time I have as meaningfully as possible. As an Ethical Culture humanist — trying to create a more humane world and bringing out the best in others and thus myself — if I possessed unlimited power, my sense of justice would continuously prevail to bring fairness to all of society worldwide. But no one possesses that ability, so we humans here in the USA are confined mostly to participatory democracy and free speech, available by the privilege of our unique and precious US Constitution. Just think — those early courageous mutinous citizens risked hanging by the British King by asserting their passions for freedom and justice. Thus, finding meaning for my time rewards me, continually shaping me, sometimes in despair to think my final epoch includes the destructive, ignorant forces of the Trump era. Yet, I note a new awakening as sensitive citizens respond with enlivened force to assert fresh energy to ‘matter’. Perhaps that is the irony of life — to never relinquish hope, using whatever creativity and positive energy we possess to hopefully make a difference. Meanwhile, to learn well from one’s errors and grant forgiveness. While thus occupied, laugh and have fun along the way as long as life continues, with 90 the new 65! — E. Betty Levin
Feb 25 Amy Blake, Christopher J. Goedecke and Brian Vivas, Family Ethical Education
Program. With Shannon Kirk for small children.
Please join the Educational Initiative as noted author, Buddhist monk and career martial arts teacher and 8th degree black belt, Christopher J. Goedecke (Buddhist Hayashi Tomio), explores the topic, ‘How Do I Fit In?’ Having lived an alternative lifestyle as a martial sensei and Buddhist monk, Goedecke will share his own life experiences aging in a fast-paced society, discovering the importance of bolstering the mind/body connection and offering ways to cope with the daily struggles and conflicts that Life often presents to us. Working with the children will be Brian Vivas, a professional martial arts teacher. He will offer children practical hands-on techniques and strategies for dealing with common physical conflicts. Vivas has been practicing karate for nine years. We will all join together at the end to share our experiences and learnings.
March 4 Orest Pelechaty, “Being Human in the 21st Century”
Being human in the 21st century brings tremendous challenges, especially in protecting our health and wellness amidst an ocean of stressors and toxins. Classical medical systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are much more than a treasure trove of tools such as herbal therapies or
Acupuncture. Come learn how ancient maps of consciousness can be invaluable in our post-modern times, offering powerful alternatives for less pain, more energy, improved immunity, and living a longer more vital life.
Orest V. Pelechaty received his doctorate of Oriental Medicine in 1986, taught acupuncture and qi gong, and served four years on the board of directors of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He founded Aware of Life Options and Healing Arts (ALOHA) Clinic in 1988 where he was Chief Clinician and Director of a 24-person staff, pioneering integrated holistic medicine. His work with patients includes the use of Alchemical medicines from East and West along with energy healing and in-depth psychology techniques.
Dr. Pelechaty’s lifelong interest in indigenous peoples and their world view led him to forty years of study and practice with Native American and Hawaiian wisdom keepers.
He entered formal study and practice of esoteric Buddhism in 1976, being blessed with teachings and transmissions from over sixty Masters and lineage holders from all major Dharma traditions. Dr. Pelechaty is an ordained tantric priest in the School of the Ancient Ones of Tibet, and serves as Rector of Odiyana Khandro Ling, an interfaith healing ministry.
Currently, “Dr. O” and his wife Susan are developing the Institute of Applied Metaphysics at their eco-retreat and healing center, Old King Farm in Vermont. They travel the world on healing and spiritual pilgrimages, when Dr. O is not out kayaking in the Pine Barrens.
March 11 Nkosi Anderson, "Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Philosophy of Love and L
Nkosi Anderson, a PhD student in Christian Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York, will be talking about Dr. King, his ethics, and his politics.
Nkosi Anderson's family has deep multigenerational roots in South Orange and Maplewood. He is the son of Drs. Herman and Adunni Anderson and brother to Anwar Anderson.
A product of First Baptist Church of South Orange, Nkosi graduated from Columbia High School in 1997. He has worked in public education, government and academia, and with religious, nonprofit and community groups.
Nkosi remains committed to a number of movements for social justice and is active in a variety of organizations including South Mountain Peace Action, The Poverty Initiative/Kairos Center, Mother's Kitchen and The Roots Project, Inc. He holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in African-American Studies, both from Columbia University. He also received his MDiv from Union Theological Seminary, NY.
Mar 18 Betty Levin (replacing Joy McConnell): “Great Expectations: Building Authentic Community in Ethical Societies”
As growth and Development Professional for the American Ethical Union during the 1990’s, Joy worked with the AEU Membership Committee to collect materials and best practices from societies throughout the Ethical Movement, undertook studies and research in the field of congregational development, and acted as co-editor with and producer of the AEU’s membership handbook with the title of today’s presentation. Joy will present some of the most important ideas from the handbook, ideas that, if implemented, could make a real difference in the sense of community and the well-being of the Ethical Culture Society of Essex. What is authentic community and how do we help to make it real? What do we want as fellow members? What unfulfilled potentials do we have? How can we build our Ethical Culture Society community to be more nearly what we want? This will be a somewhat interactive platform, so be prepared to respond to these questions from your authentic self.
After serving as Associate Leader in St. Louis and Leader in Chicago, Joy served as AEU Growth and Development Professional. Joy consulted with Ethical Societies across the US, was involved in AEU growth initiatives and led many workshops. Joy was one of the founders of the AEU Lay Leadership Summer School and served on staff from 1996 to 2008, 2012, and 2016. She is currently consulting leader for the Ethical Society of Asheville, NC, and volunteers for the American Ethical Union. She has an MA from The University of Chicago, graduated with the third class of the Humanist Institute, and has much training in congregational development from the Alban Institute and the UUA as well as dozens of hours of training in Non-Violent Communication and Interpersonal Neurobiology. She is looking forward to being once more with members new and long-term of the society.
Mar 25 Amy Blake and Colleen Kattau, Family Ethical Education Program
Please join the Educational Initiative as we explore the power of life, music and words as we try and find how our voices fit into our communities. Colleen Kattau is a bilingual educator, activist, and singer/songwriter with a journey to share. Pete Seeger was an admirer and friend.
How does my voice fit in, you ask?
“Why do you always answer a question with a song?” a boy I knew asked me when I was 6 or 7 years old. Why did I? That question made me conscious of how much song defined my being. In my head the answer was “It comes out that way naturally. It just does.” Apart from a few lessons on an instrument I didn’t choose, there were not a lot of opportunities for music in school. I kept on singing through it all — that voice from nowhere and everywhere kept bubbling up every day! I auditioned for the senior play and landed the role of Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls.” Whoa! And picked up my first guitar. In college, and politicized with a language to name what I’d felt all along, I travelled to Spain and joined the choir in Salamanca. I became hooked on Spanish and later Latin American music, especially nueva canción or new song. I started seeing the connection between the transformative power of music and social change and how other cultures do this naturally. I did not imagine supporting myself through music, it seemed an unattainable ideal so I led a parallel life of work and finding time to play and sing. There was a time when I was about to put down my guitar. I felt I had no community... then my angel fierce friend appeared to say no, never! So I kept on singing and learning and sharing with others, and doors started opening. For music is a gift that keeps on giving. And I feel that each day I understand that ever more deeply.
Students will explore the power of music and lyrics as they listen and sing along to songs that promote peace and respect for our planet. Please join us on March 25th for this interesting morning of conversation and song.
You can find out more information about Colleen by checking out her website: www.colleenkattau.com/bio.html .
April 1 Open Colloquy: Dealing with religious tradition; redemption; slavery and freedom; and more.
April 8 Lawrence Tamburri, "The Newark School of the Arts — Our First 50 Years"
Lawrence Tamburri will describe the history and importance of the 50 years of arts education provided by the Newark School of the Arts. Starting in 2018, the Newark School of the Arts (NSA) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The School provides high-level training in the performing and visual arts. Since 1968, the school has offered instruction for everyone with an interest in the arts regardless of age, talent and financial resources. [By the way, Stella Lass, one of the school's two founders, was a resident of Maplewood, as was Steve Shiman, the longest-tenured executive director.] NSA is a family and community oriented school that has served 46,000 individuals since its inception, and provides education for 800 students each week. [For further information, see: www.newarkschoolofthearts.org/]
Lawrence Tamburri has been the Executive Director of the Newark School of the Arts since April 2013. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) from 2004 to 2011. Prior to joining the PSO, he served in the same capacity for the New Jersey from 1991-2003, as well as Savannah and New Hampshire Symphony Orchestras. A lecturer in Arts Management at SUNY Purchase, Tamburri has served as a member of the Adjunct Faculty of Seton Hall University's Graduate Arts Administration program, as well as the Adjunct Faculty of Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz School of Public Policy. Tamburri was a board member of the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School. Additionally he was a board member, as well as president, of the Newark Arts Council and ArtPride NJ.
April 15 Theresa Henry, "How Money Works"
Drawing on her years in the financial services industry, Theresa Henry seeks to spread an understanding of "how money works." She shares information that is public domain, but unfortunately not public knowledge. Her ultimate goal is to introduce individuals and communities to powerful resources and
strategies, and thereby improving the economic awareness and financial strength of thousands of young people and families. In Theresa's words, "Things are changing and people are waiting for things to go back to the way it was — which is causing more challenges. We have to think differently about changes. We have to change the way we look at money." "As an investor you get your money to work for you. Money can always work a lot harder for you than you can work for it, only if it's in the right place. But because we live in such a financially illiterate society, most people don't know where the right places are." "My goal is to help people have financial freedom / personal freedom by learning HOW MONEY WORKS!" Theresa Henry has worked with a broad range of leading financial firms for almost three decades in the areas of life, health insurance and securities. She has certifications for 401k Retirement Plans, Financial Needs Analyst, Long Term Care and Debt Solutions. Theresa is also actively involved in the community, helping to foster financial literacy, youth development and quality of life initiatives. She is currently working with Donna Karan, Spirituality for Kids and The Beacon House, Women's Empowerment program to Raise Awareness to Inspire Change and serves as President for The Progressive Women. She currently serves on the boards of The Newark Women's Conference, Women's Urban Conference and The Women's Fund.
April 22 Amy Blake & Shannon Kirk: Family Education Program
Please join the Educational Initiative on Sunday April 22nd for an Earth
April 29 E. Betty Levin, "Becoming 92: I Reach, I Learn, I Grow — A Work in Progress"
(rescheduled from February)
As I travel Life's Journey, I encounter fine teachers and many challenges. Valued lessons and ultimate meaning finally emerge. I make errors as well and seek forgiveness. With a moral compass shaped by the Ethical Culture movement, I have somehow become a humanist, perhaps flawed at times. What a privilege that you fellow travelers have provided a platform for me to share the path I've traveled. I look to all of you for help during whatever time remains. E. Betty Levin has been a long-time Ethical Culture Society member, peace educator and psychotherapist. As a private practice psychotherapist for over 40 years, Betty has a broad understanding of contemporary society and tradition-anchored humanistic values, vital for a meaningful human journey. An indefatigable member of the Ethical Culture Movement almost all her adult life, Betty is also currently active in the Peace Movement.
May 6 Meredith Sue Willis: “A Writer in the Digital Age: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
Meredith Sue Willis begins with her personal journey from a little girl making stapled, hand-illustrated horse stories through publishing novels with commercial presses and small presses to creating websites and online newsletters and literary journals. She will speak more generally about how computers and the Internet have changed writing as well as publishing, with references to issues like Net Neutrality, the Creative Commons versus Copyright; electronic books; types of publishing now, and how Facebook and other social media take the place of reading and creative writing for some people. There will be ample time for dialogue.
Meredith Sue Willis has published more than twenty books. Her new novel, Their Houses, is coming out in August 2018, from WVU Press. Learn more about her on her webpage at www.meredithsuewillis.com. For information about her books, click here.
May 13 Danielle Samake, “From the Local to the Global: A Teen’s Passion for Human Rights”
In March, Danielle represented the nonprofit organization Girls Learn International (GLI) as a student delegate to the 62nd annual Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. She is passionate about human rights work, and has co-lead the club People On Women’s Equity and Rights (POWER) at her school since September 2016. She will discuss how this commitment was sparked and the experiences and the learning it has generated.
Danielle Samake is a junior at Columbia High School in Maplewood. She has been involved with the Ethical Culture Society since curiosity brought her in to hear a platform, and she got enlisted as an assistant in the new Family Education Program.
May 20 Annual Meeting--Starts at 10:00 am
Note Unusual Start time
Please join us May 20th as we hold our annual meeting. We hope all will be in attendance. Enjoy coffee and a chance to catch up with friends at 10 a.m. The meeting will start promptly at 10:30 a.m.: An overview of the past year and the vision for the year ahead, plus reports from the society’s president and committee chairs, and the election of officers for the 2018-19 season.
Family Education Program: As a community the Educational Initiative will review the work we've done this past year and share with you our exciting plans for the upcoming school year. Students will be doing the same work upstairs. They will be examining this year's learnings and explore possibilities for future explorations. Your voice matters. Your voice is important. Please come share your ideas, new and old so together our Educational Initiative may grow through us all. See you on the 20th!
May 27 Memorial Day Colloquy: What We Honor and How We Honor It
June 3 David Harrison, “Protecting our fragile world”
David Harrison became interested in the environment about 25 years ago while living and working in the finance industry in a multitude of countries. Among cultural and policy differences he noted are consumption patterns, and how diverse people and societies deal with discards. He has served on numerous Environment Commissions and other focus groups, and regularly leads discussions to guide individuals and families on how to reduce their environmental impact — what we should or should not do or buy, and why. Most of the suggestions are also money saving! David has led over 100 such discussions for all age groups at houses of worship, schools, offices, and with boy scouts, girl scouts and other groups. Every discussion is different and everyone, including David, learns something valuable every time.
We will embrace why we feel compelled to reduce our environmental impact, whether spiritual, and/or a compelling drive to maintain/improve the world we are handing down to our children/grandchildren. As global population continues to grow, we need to increase our efforts to live sustainably, a key factor if we are to live peacefully. This includes consuming less; repurposing, reusing and recycling our discards; and embracing technology which can help reduce our impact on all aspects of the environment. Through our families, schools, houses of worship and focus groups, we need to instill environmental values and good habits to the younger generation.
We will also discuss simple measures to green your gardening — in both senses of the word! Best practices in landscape and property maintenance result in reduced emissions, and the elimination of substances which are hazardous to all living things, including residents and their pets.
June 10-- 2018 Local Hero Award: Labor Lawyer, Activist, and Musician Bennet Zurofsky-- and the Solidarity Singers!
The Social Action Committee of the Ethical Culture Society is presenting its 2018 Local Hero aware to Bennet Zurofsky, who has dedicated his life to advancing the causes of labor, peace and social justice as a lawyer, an activist, and as a musician and founder and leader of the Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey State Industrial Union Council.
For thirty-five years, he has practiced law in Newark, devoting himself to unions, employees, and the Constitution. Presently a solo practitioner, he was previously the Managing Partner of Reitman Parsonnet, PC, where he entered the private practice of law under the tutelage of the late Sidney Reitman.
Over the years, his primary practice has been the representation of many international and local unions. He has also helped hundreds of unrepresented employees in efforts to obtain justice from their employers.
When he is not in his office or in a court room, you can frequently find him on a picket line, supporting worker and community struggles, working for peace and responsible government, defending free speech rights, or raising fighting spirits as the Director of the Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey Industrial Union Council. Mr. Zurofsky also regularly provides pro bono representation and advice in support of activists working for progressive change throughout New Jersey. He is particularly known for assisting demonstrators when they stand their ground and exercise their free speech rights in the face of police hostility. His current pro bono activity includes: serving as General Counsel to the New Jersey Poor Peoples Campaign and providing on going advice and representation to many groups that are part of the New Jersey Resistance to the Trump Administration.
As a litigator, some of his notable victories have included: defending the constitutionality of the New Jersey Community Right to Know Act against a challenge brought by the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; obtaining public deportation proceedings for a post 9/11 detainee who the Department of Justice had declared subject to a secret trial; and eliminating sexually discriminatory "obstacle course" testing for municipal police officers. He was also instrumental in ending unconstitutional conditions of confinement in the jails and the juvenile detention center of Newark and Essex County through my service as Special Master for the United States District Court. He has also been Chairman of The New Jersey Supreme Court's District Ethics Committee for Essex County.
Many also know him as a performing musician since the age of 15. He sings and plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and various drums and percussion instruments. Since 1995, he has appeared almost exclusively with the Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey Industrial Union Council, which he directs. For more than a decade, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Sing Out Corporation, which was founded by Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson and others in 1951, the same year that Zurofsky was born. He has been honored to serve as the President of several non-profits, including Community Access Unlimited and the Folk Music Society of Northern New Jersey.
He lives in Maplewood with his wife Susan J. Vercheak, who is Assistant General Counsel, Utility Affairs, for Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., and was formerly Chief Deputy Attorney General of the New Jersey Division of Law's Public Utilities Section. They are the parents of adult twins, Hannah and Sam.
June 17 Celebrating Fathers Day
Fathers and sons present will take center stage in a colloquy about our fathers and their impact in our lives, and how fathering has evolved.
[Final Day of the 2017-18 Program Season]
