What gives a sacred space its power? Are there cultural, artistic, architectural, or ritualistic activities than enhance attachment to a place? You’re invited to help find the answers and distill a set of best practices.Read More
The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County
Ethical Culture is a religion that puts ethics and human flourishing at the center of the search for a meaningful life. Sign up for our newsletter.
Sunday Gathering: 11 am
Our thought-provoking platform addresses cover a wide range of subjects relating to ethics in modern life. Please join us, then stay for coffee and conversation.
Sunday School
All are welcome to our Ethical Adventures Family and Friends Circle, a family-friendly gathering for ethical exploration and adventure.
Progressive Social Action
Ethical Culture has an extensive history of accomplishments in the area of Social Action, as well as regular panels and educational seminars.Curt Collier
Leader Curt Collier served as head of three other Ethical Societies. He sees his role at Bergen as helping us to determine our new direction.Social Life
Get-togethers take many different forms, either spontaneous or recurring: dinners, parties, hikes, picnics, and cultural outings.
The Arts & Ethical Brew
Ethical Brew is a live venue for music and social action. Half the proceeds are donated to worthy causes. Many members are musicians, writers, and visual artists.Latest News and Opinion

Grant-Writing Workshop for North Jersey Nonprofits
Want to know how to successfully apply for grants that will help your organization reach its goals? Society Leader Curt Collier is offering a workshop designed for beginner grant writers.Read More

Take a Stand: Banned Books & Banned Humans Festival
Our Banned Books Festival has expanded this year to include banned humans, those whose voices are silenced when books are forbidden. Find out how you can participate.Read More

As I See It: I’ll be Canceling my ChatGPT Subscription
After reading the biography that ChatGPT wrote about his life, including his death in 2014, Society President Jim Norman wants to cancel his subscription.Read More

We’re Offering Science to Youth Because Early Experience is Powerful
Early experiences can shape us in powerful ways. That’s why our Society is focusing on youth participation in two new science and environmental projects, says Leader Curt Collier in this column.Read More

Welcome to Our Great New Jersey Science Show
Bill Nye meets ‘Saturday Night Live’ at our Great New Jersey Science Show, where young adults share their scientific knowledge cabaret-style. You’re invited!Read More
Ethical Kids!
Let us say more about our programs to grow Ethical Kids.

Our Sunday SchoolToddlers through Teens
We provide a sense of belonging in an established community of people actively living according to their ethical ideals.Read More...

You've got FAQsWe have Answers
What is the Ethical Society and the Ethical Movement? Which goals are stressed when developing curriculum? How are parents involved in the classes?Read More...

Youth GroupAges 14 to 22
Our Youth Group is a place for our Sunday school graduates (usually aged 14 to 22) to do good work and hang out.Read More...
Proud History of Progressive Social Action
Ethical Culture has an extensive history of Social Action and our Society has initiated major social justice projects. This is a summary. See more on our Social Action page.
Early Accomplishments
1950s - 1970s
- Founded the Fair Housing Council of Northern New Jersey
- Active in desegregating the Teaneck Public Schools
- Founded Camp Elliott, a multi-racial summer camp
Focus on Justice
1980s - 1990s
- Spearheaded a multi-faceted commitment to housing justice and sheltering the homeless
- Engaged collectively in civil disobedience and create The Sanctuary for Central American Refugees, preparing us for the next challenges
Still Making a Difference
2000 to Present
- Founded the The Northern New Jersey Sanctuary Coalition. Along with other organizations, it provies humanitarian services for political asylum seekers.
- Founded the group which became the Bergen County Brady Chapter to end gun violence
Adult Ed: Personal Growth for Grown-Ups
We are committed to the ideal of lifelong education. We learn from each other in variety of programs that address all subjects related directly or indirectly to ethics.

Socrates CafeLast Monday, 7pm
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Mindfulness at MiddayMost Fridays at Noon
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Get the Zoom link by RSVPing on Meetup or emailing [email protected] a day before the meeting.

Conversemos (Let's Talk)Usually the third Monday, 7:30pm
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Member News
Meet our talented members

My Father’s Ashes
Bob Gordon figured that if he survived advanced cancer, he’d want to go skiing the following winter in Cervinia, Italy. His son and ski buddy, Gregg, found a measure of closure in leaving Bob’s ashes on a mountain there.Read More

‘Ascension Blocked:’ A Poem of a Heart Attack
Member and poet Milind Padki shares a poem he read recently at our Open Mic Variety Night.Read More

Community Weekend is Back!
Community Weekend at Stony Point Center is back! Members, to join the fun June 2-4, please fill out registration form.Read More
Our Most Viewed Articles

iChildhood
In this column, Janet Glass explores the challenges of raising children in a wired world, which requires a new type of awareness from parents.

The Spread of Democracy
Democracy is spreading. This column by our representatives to the UN describes what that means for human rights.

Religion and Religious Violence
Leader Joseph Chuman discusses how religion relates to violence in general and to terror in particular.

The Israel-Palestinian Conflict: Each Side’s Contrasting Narratives
Each side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has its own narrative. What is important for understanding of both sides is to know what they leave out.

How to Tell the Difference Between Right and Wrong
Let us make up a myth to provide ourselves with moral backbone. As long as we are careful to bear in mind that it is a myth, the overall effect should be positive.

Ethical Dilemmas of Globalization
Some say globalization has created a runaway world. Our UN correspondent looks at the contentious issue of globalization in trade and its effects on the poor as well as the rich.

Darwin’s Challenge to Religion and the Religious Response
Leader Joseph Chuman looks at why creationism is so popular and offers a proper religious response to Darwinism.

Free Will: The Last Great Lie
Robert Gulack assembles all the available evidence, which has piled higher and higher in the last 100 years, to refute the notion of free will.

What to Do When Life Is Not Fair
The antidote to injustice is action. Take unfairness and transform it into a task, says Leader Joseph Chuman.