By Susan Lesh
Well, as winter’s winds whistle, our community is warming hearts and minds. In February, our provocative Sunday platforms are addressing clothes-recycling, artificial intelligence and justice, and talking ethics to teens. The platform addresses come from a personal point of view that connects us with the speakers. The Ethical Music Makers have given a new energy to Sundays. And speaking of music, Ethical Brew has continued to give us the opportunity to hear wonderful musicians close-up while combining music with our desire for social action. January’s concert benefited the Equal Justice Initiative, which is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in America. February’s concert will benefit the Northern New Jersey Sanctuary Coalition; they address the needs of political asylees and asylum-seekers in North Jersey. Our children are being educated in ethics and find time to raise money for the Community Weekend scholarship and the Ugandan AIDS orphans; they are led by new Director Samantha Stankiewicz and are an integral source of warmth in our Society. The Green movement by the Social Affairs committee is going well. We are reducing our plastic consumption and using more biodegradable materials made from renewable sources. Our Adult Education ethical-enrichment opportunities continue with Job Club, Socrates Cafe, Mindfulness at Midday, Do Tell!, and Ethical Eating to name a few.
These are all opportunities to connect with each other. I hope to see you at one or more of our events and share the warmth of our community.
Susan Lesh is president of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County.
