The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County

A kinder world starts here.

November 7, 2024 – 11:00am

Youth Mental Health Workshop: Understanding and Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences

This community workshop, Understanding and Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences, will focus on how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) affect youth throughout their lives, and how youth leaders and caregivers can help. The workshop is free and lunch will be provided. Please register here. If you have questions, please contact Leader Curt Collier at [email protected] or 914-648-0009.
Event Series
November 8, 2024 – 12:00pm

Mindfulness at Midday: Meditation, Movement, and Discussion Group

Mindfulness at Midday uses a secular and evidence-based series of mindfulness protocols, such as the ones developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Meetings will begin with a brief overview of our plan for the session, including a check-in with all participants regarding their goals for the session. Then we enter into a lightly guided meditation, followed by very basic Hatha Yoga or other gentle movements. Participants then may share challenges they are facing and help each other develop mindful communication to both resolve current challenges and to develop better communication skills.

This meeting will be held via Zoom. Email host Deb Sgro, [email protected], for the Zoom link. In addition, the link will be in the weekly Focus newsletter.

Further information: [email protected]
November 9, 2024 – 9:00am

Haiti Packathon

Join us at the Hope Presbyterian Church in Teaneck, NJ for the eleventh annual Teaneck Packathon, assembling lunches to send to schoolchildren in Haiti. Half of Haiti’s 11 million people need food assistance. We join with Future Forward for Haiti as they aim to pack 70,ooo meals for children living the mountain areas of Chapottin and Trois Mares, Haiti. It’s a great way for kids to do some hands-on volunteering! Click here to register for a 2-hour shift.
Event Series
November 10, 2024 – 9:45am

Family & Friends Circle: About Food

The Family & Friends Circle is an opportunity to explore the deeper questions of human existence and the unique role each of us can play in creating healthier, more welcoming, more inclusive and healing environments for humans and the rest of nature in a family-friendly format. Headed by Ethical Education Director Samantha Stankiewicz, along with Society Leader Curt Collier, Family & Friends Circle uses interactive formats, discussions, role-playing, music, art, science, and social action to bring forth a rich learning environment for our children. All are encouraged stay after Family & Friends Circle for our Sunday Morning Social, including coffee, snacks, and conversation, at 10:30 am, the Gathering at 11 am.
November 10, 2024 – 11:00am

Sunday Gathering: Post-Election Discussion

This is the first Gathering after the most significant election of our lives. Let’s come together to share our thoughts and feelings about the outcome and how we move forward to address the challenges we face regardless of the results. Member Jim Norman will facilitate this morning’s discussion. This Gathering is in person at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. The Zoom link will be in the weekly Focus newsletter and may be obtained by emailing [email protected] by noon on Saturday.

Social Action

The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County is buzzing with exciting opportunities for ethical action every year! As Ethical Culturists, we’re all about being a driving force for positive change and making spaces where life truly thrives.

A Safe Place for Discussion

Ethical Culture hosted an evening with two students – one Muslim, one Jewish – to foster in-person dialogue on Israel and Gaza.

Environmental Stewardship

The Society’s Planet & Progress Initiative, in partnership with Groundwork Elizabeth, gets youth and youth leaders outdoors in the summers, earning money and creating real, physical change in our open spaces.

Volunteering Opportunities

Community members age 10 and up prepare lunches for mostly single women taking classes at a non-profit organization, OASIS in Paterson.

Ethical Culture has a rich history of social action and an ongoing history of social justice activities in the form of panels, educational seminars and more transient programs. Take a closer look at our long history of social action.

Growing Ethical Kids

On Sundays during the school year, our Society offers a family-friendly gathering at 9:45 am, in addition to the regular platform at 11 am. This Family and Friends Circle is open to all, especially to families with youth of any age. During the Circle, trained facilitators and educators offer a variety of activities for exploring ethical issues as well as opportunities for adventuring beyond the Society’s doors for ethical-action activities or learning about the world. 

Learning About the World

Children ages 8 and older participate in ESTEAM (Ethics in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities while younger children and their families enjoy Project PEACE (Primary Ethics and Childhood Experiences). 

Sunday School children help with Haiti packathon

Creating Change

Two Sundays a month, we venture out into the world where the kids can experience what it means to volunteer their time and energy and perform acts of kindness.

Exploring Ethical Issues

In addition to discussing difficult topics, we provide a space for kids to practice ethical behavior with expert guidance. This practice is preparation to incorporate these ideas into their lives beyond the Society.

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