By Susan Lesh
This year our Installation and Recognition Dinner was held virtually, via Zoom. Ken Karp, who served as emcee, had done research into the history of our evening. He shared that this evening had primarily been an installation of Bergen Ethical’s leadership, but in recent years, the evening included recognition of Society members, as well as awards to outside people. Ken used several virtual backgrounds, all from the photography vaults of Bergen’s Google Drive, to keep the party spirit going.
We began with Elaine Fondiller awarding the $1,500 Selene Katz Schol-arship to Iyana Williams, a senior at the Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Per-forming Arts in Paterson. At Rosa Parks, Iyana majored in communication arts. In the fall, Iyana will be attending Union College, where she will major in psychology. This year, the AEU is not giving the Anna Garlin Spencer Volunteer award, so we decided to spotlight two volunteers this year, Anne Wallman and Janet Glass. See separate story.
Joe Chuman awarded 25-year membership pins to Theresa Forsman, Lenore Levy, Mary Matsui, Wes Matsui, and Benoise Turnier. We then turned to the installation of our leadership for next year. Tracey Kelley was a gracious installer and led us through thank-yous to departing Board members and committee chairs, inspiring or humorous quotes read by the incoming Board and committee chairs, and concluded with our Ethical Culture core values.
Joe Chuman then closed with remarks as only he can, warmly gathering us, thanking us, and focusing us on our community efforts. It was a lovely even-ing together.
Susan Lesh, president