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In our latest Message from the President, Carolyn Parker shares how being able to attend committee meetings and connecting with folks on a regular basis may be integral to achieving AEU’s goals. This includes a behind-the-scenes look at one meeting in particular and the work that we are doing as an organization to grow and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Please mark your calendar to attend our AEU 2023 Assembly on July 29th. Stay tuned for more information about this wonderful event for all Societies to participate in.

In 2021-2022, 1,648 Books Were Banned – 41% feature LGBTQ+ Characters or Themes, 40% feature Characters of Color, and 21% feature themes of Race and Racism. 

February is Black History Month, also referred to as African American History Month. It was originally the second week of February to coincide with Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. One way to take action towards supporting and centering the achievements of people of African descent is to commit to learning more than you already know about Black History. Another way is to become a member of the African American Policy Forum's (AAPF) campaign " From Freedom Riders to Freedom Readers." The AAPF co-founded by Kimberlee Crenshaw in 1996, is dedicated to advancing and expanding racial justice, gender equality, and the indivisibility of all human rights, both in the U.S. and abroad. Keep an eye out on the AEU's social media platforms this month as we highlight those whose contributions have had and will continue to have an everlasting impact on this country.

Openings in the AEU Personnel Committee

Are you working in an HR department, holding one of the various certifications in HR or held a HR certification and are retired? The AEU Personnel Committee needs you on our team to bring your experience, wisdom, and guidance to our work. You will be on the ground floor of helping us to interview candidates for the Permanent Executive Director position and to assist your fellow committee members with the Personnel Committee’s mandate of providing the AEU staff, through the Board of Directors, with evaluation, recruitment, and policy deliverables. Apart from the upcoming Executive Director search, the Committee tends to meet approximately every other month for about 90 minutes. Please reach out to the chairman, Dwight Panozzo, at dpanozzo@aeu.org for more details. 

AEU is sad to say goodbye to Dr. Leisa Herrera who is leaving her position as Administrative Assistant this Friday. We are grateful to have had the time to work with her and wish her the best of everything in her bright future. Leisa was always on top of the details and aware of the bigger picture helping the AEU attain its goals. To reach Leisa before she leaves, you can email her at lherrera@aeu.org.

AEU is sad to say goodbye to Dr. Leisa Herrera who is leaving her position as Administrative Assistant this Friday. We are grateful to have had the time to work with her and wish her the best of everything in her bright future. Leisa was always on top of the details and aware of the bigger picture helping the AEU attain its goals. To reach Leisa before she leaves, you can email her at lherrera@aeu.org.

Event Name: "Sustainable Sustenance" Dinner and a Movie

Host: Westchester Community for Ethical Culture

Date: Friday, February 3rd

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Do you enjoy eating delicious food? How about if I told you that you can do that while supporting a good cause? If you said yes to those questions and live near White Plains, New York, then join our friends at the Westchester Community for Ethical Culture for a very special event. Enjoy a "Food of Mexico" theme potluck as the Society highlights La Morada's Mutual Aid Kitchen in the Bronx and Feeding Westchester. See the event description button below for more information and make sure you RSVP by emailing info@wcfec.org.

Event Name: Fundi: The Story of Ella Baker Movie Screening and Panel Discussion

Host: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture 

Date: Sunday, February 5th

Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

For those of you that love documentaries, you're not going to want to miss this event. The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture will be hosting a free (YES FREE) screening of Fundi: The Story of Ella Baker. This film highlights the instrumental role that Ella Baker had on the American civil rights movement. Following the film, the panel discussion will focus on their partnerships with this legendary activist. Make sure you mark your calendars and don't forget to RSVP by clicking on the link below!

Event Name: Mindfulness Meditation

Host: Baltimore Ethical Society 

Date: Sunday, February 12th

Time: 9:30 AM ET

Start off your Sunday on the right note by joining the Baltimore Ethical Society for their virtual mindfulness meditation event. With the wise and soothing words of Thich Nhat Hanh, learn to center yourself and live in the moment, one meditative session at a time. Email karenselliot@aol.com for the Zoom information.

Event Name: Home Share - Benefits and Pitfalls

Host: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture 

Date: Sunday, February 12th

Time: 11:00 - 12:30 PM ET

While we are socially distancing less and traveling more due to our medical advancements against COVID-19, the issue of social isolation still remains an issue for many; particularly for the elderly and those with limited mobility. Just like vaccines reduced social isolation, this program will explore effective ways to address social isolation in our home environments. Courtesy of our friends from the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Annamarie Pluhar will be sharing the social benefits of Home Sharing. As the founder of Sharing Housing, Inc. and a life-long advocate for older adults, Annamarie believes that this option can help those suffering from social isolation with cost, company, cooperation, and comfort as potential benefits. Interested in attending? Click on the link below to learn more about this event and Annamarie as well as save your spot by RSVPing. See you there!

Event Name: Speaker Series: Is Separation of Church & State Coming to an End?

Host: Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County

Date: Sunday, February 12th - Sunday, March 12th

*Events will take place on Saturdays and Sundays during the date range listed above.

While the separation of church and state has long been revered as a major part of our identity as a nation, recent events like the repeal of Roe v. Wade are proof that principles can change. Threats to this integral piece of the US Constitution inspired the latest Speaker Series from the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County and their co-sponsor, The Puffin Foundation. Read all about this series and register by clicking on the buttons below.

Event Name: Ethical Community Town Hall with Rachel Pfeffer

Host: American Ethical Union

Date: Monday, February 13th

Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

Are you an Ethical Clergy Leader, Lay Leader/member, or Leader-in-Training? Please join Rachel Pfeffer, Interim ED of the AEU, in conversation at a Town Hall Meeting. The purpose of the conversation is to introduce the concept of a working group to solve unresolved problems through collaboration and thought partnership during this transition period. Please participate in this meeting to find out more, offer insight, ask questions, and let's get the ball rolling!

Event Name: Felix Adler & the Birth of a Movement Series

Host: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture

Date: Sunday, February 26th - Saturday, May 25th

*Events will take place on Thursdays and Sundays during the date range listed above.

Please join the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture and Leader-in-Training Louise Jett for a series of Platforms and workshops entitled “From Felix Adler to Modern Ethical Humanism.” The series will start in January and the second platform is on February 26th at 11 am ET. Your participation supports Louise as she completes her AEU/National Leaders Council training as a Leader. All of the events will take place on Zoom and of course, all are welcome to attend. Interested in what will be covered? Click on the link to find out!

The Future is Now: Our Children Putting Ethics into Action

Host: American Ethical Union All-Societies Platform

On January 29th, we held our latest All-Societies Platform that highlighted our wonderful Ethical Education programs. Brought to you by our amazing team of Ethical Education Directors, we heard from directors at multiple Ethical Societies about their program as well as from the parents on what goes into raising our ethical leaders of tomorrow. The parents told us why it's important to teach their kiddos about the value of Ethical Action and service. The stars of the show shared wonderful performances and their deep thoughts on how adults can support them as they embark on their own ethical journeys. Wish you could've seen it in-person? Don't worry! We wanted to prevent you from feeling any FOMO so we recorded the entire thing for you to watch when you can. Enjoy!

Can a country like the US whose foundation is rooted in slavery learn from its horrific past and thrive as the multicultural land it claims to be? Brought to you by the American Humanist Association Center for Education, Leader of the Susquehanna Valley Ethical Society, Jé Exodus Hooper will attempt to answer that very question. Along with his co-host David Breeden, this three-part series will explore how this country can change with "metanoia" being integral to those efforts.