Leader’s Blog
Between Times
In March of 2020, our Ethical Society, like so many institutions, suddenly shifted how it operated. It was a crisis, and we had to shift right away, without time for planning. What followed was a mixture of adaptation and innovation, with individuals and our Society...
The Fifth of July
Facing our history honestly is important for honoring the Fourth of July; now, what to us is the Fifth of July
The Spirit of Play
Our "ethics matters" theme for June has been "play," although I think of that more as an over-arching theme for June, July, and August. Like other mammals, we play when we are young -- and sometimes when we are not so young. What are you doing to keep the spirit of...
Doing Our Part for Democracy
Democracy means rule of the people, where a majority can take action, while protecting the rights of vulnerable minorities. But democracy doesn't work if the people don't speak up. There's another election coming up this month in New York City. I urge you, if you...
Making Life Better
It happened more than 20 years ago, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. One of those moments so powerful, yet so simple. I was driving down a city street I’d driven down hundreds of times before. The light was green, and I drove through it. I think I’m always mindful when I’m driving of what’s going on around me, even when the light is green.
The Story of Love
I've been thinking a lot about love lately. Not the kind of intimate partner love (though I'm glad to have that in my life), but the expansive love that is wider than our personal relationships. The Revolutionary Love conference reminded me again of the power of...
Hate Has No Home Here
Writing as the Leader of the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture, I am saddened at the outbreak of antisemitism over the last few days, as synagogues and Jewish centers were vandalized, including the latest incident Sunday night. As I write this, it seems...
Emotions: A Humanist and Ethical Culture Perspective
To be a humanist means in part to accept that we are human beings, not angelic beings or robots. We are messes of emotion and reason, and sometimes the two are hard to separate. As Ben Franklin said (with updated language): “People are reasonable animals. We can find...
A Lifetime of Becoming
This week, I thought I'd share some personal reflections on "becoming." Many of you will have your own stories, and maybe (since May is "story" month at RYSEC) you might also consider putting your story of becoming into writing. Or digital words. You can become...