38 Old Country Rd
Garden City,
NY 11530

(516) 741-7304

PREVIOUS ISSUES
December 97
November 97

• Viewpoint
• Religious Education
• The President Reports
• EHS on the Web
• Trans Media
• Public Affairs
• News/Announcements
• Personals
• Board Announcements

Liberals tend to be tolerant; liberal religionists tend to disavow proselytizing. We don't stand on corners shouting our message, we don't ring doorbells or distribute literature under windshields in parking lots. This doesn't mean that we want to hide our light, only that our method is more educational than missionary. There is nothing wrong with good publicity. Indeed, we have an obligation to let people know we exist. An ethical humanist philosophy of life needs constant propagation.

Several years ago a professional publicist drew up a proposal for the society. It was filled with estimable and sensible ideas about how to let the community know that we exist, that there is such a thing as religious humanism, a group dedicated to the cultivation of ethical values. Nothing happened to the proposal because of a lack of money. There is no getting around the need for money. But there is something new under the sun the internet. Much of this new medium is arcane to me, but I do know that there are websites and homepages and there are hundreds of thousands of people who find their way to things and people by using search engines. Fortunately, we have a number of members who are knowledgeable in such things. As a result, the society now has a presence in cyberspace at a price we can afford.

Linda Joe provides details in her article in this issue. The main point is that anyone on the internet who wants to know something about Ethical Culture will have no trouble finding out about this.

Let's welcome this new era and embrace it with our traditional humanist values that celebrate the human spirit and its connection to the earth. --- Arthur Dobrin

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On October 24th -26th, the Youth of Ethical Society celebrated its annual national conference at Holiday Hills, in Pawling, NY. Over 50 Y.E.S. members from across the country attended. Long Island representatives this year were Irene Antoniazzi and Bernadette Joe.

Pre-conference activities were held, including a sleepover at the American Ethical Union, and a day in the city. Some people visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while others took the subway down to the Village, but everyone made it back to the bus for the 3 hour trip to Holiday Hills Conference Center.

This year's activities were dedicated to leadership building. Activities such as building a "machine" and untangling human spiderwebs were held, forcing everyone to work together, openly and cooperatively. The ways in which feelings can affect and be affected were examined, as well as the conditions that make a group function. And all the while, friendships were being created.

Those who knew each other from previous years had time to reminisce, and newcomers were met and welcomed to the crowd. The exchanging of warm fuzzes was especially meaningful, giving people time to tell each other about the good impressions they had made, and to get a little friendlier.

Dinner conversations and free-time basketball games provided time to get to know one another. Saturday night's dance and Sunday's platform gave everyone time to bond.

I made lots of friends this year that I hope to keep throughout the years. Our common tie is a strong one and from the weekend's activities, I can tell that we all value the Ethical Humanist Society enough to continue giving it time. Even though this has been my last conference, I'll always remember the fun I had, and the amazing people I've met.

Best wishes for future conferences to come!!!! -- Bernadette Joe

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1. I read in the New York Times that the average salary for a designated hitter ( the d.h.: a male person who plays in the American League and whose job description is to hit a baseball) in 1997 was $3,717,579.00! That's seven figures to the left of the decimal point! There are several designated personages at the E.H.S.L.I. who do not make that kind of money and do more than just swing at a baseball. We currently have a designated Leader in Training, one Susan Teshu, who I am sure would hit a few baseballs in addition to her other duties for a chance at that kind of salary. And when you look at it, our entire Board of Trustee is designated by the membership to run the Society. The leaders of our committees, all the Sunday School teachers and all the rest of the men and women who tirelessly work for the benefit of our Society are 'designated' people. Perhaps there is one among them who can hit a baseball well enough to qualify for a few million. And the author of this column is also designated in a sense and even though he would most probably run from a baseball thrown in his direction, he most certainly would like to try to hit it if he knew a few million might be involved.

2. Even though most of our membership does not live in New York City, I'm sure they are all too aware of the man who is the mayor of that enchanted place - one Rudolph Giuliani. It seems that this man is incensed because a magazine advertisement for New York Magazine, which is emblazoned on the back of most N.Y.C. buses, says that the magazine in question is 'possibly the only good thing in New York Rudy hasn't taken credit for.'

   That is not true at all! To my knowledge Rudy hasn't taken credit for all the wonderful things that 1997 brought to the E.H.S.L.I. Rest assured that if he ever tries to take credit for anything here that we have embarked upon , and succeeded at, he will hear from a few of our dedicated lawyers.

3. Last but not least a resolution for the New Year: I will not to write a column like this again! -- Richard Rapp

The ad-hoc WEB PAGE Committee of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island invites all of our members to visit our new WEB page. Thanks to the work of two of our members, Dave Rayna, who put up the LI EHS Sunday School on the Web last spring, and Ivo Antoniazzi, who has constructed a site for our society as a whole, we now have a presence on the Internet where the general public can learn about who we are and what we are doing.

There are two ways to get to us right now. (A) http://www.gardencityny.com. This address brings you to a page for Garden City. You will find us under 'Houses of Worship', where platform information is listed by the Garden City Webmaster based on info our office staffers, Louise Molzahn and Evelyn Von Eschen, have been sending to them. (http://www.gardencityny.com/ehsofli.html).

From there, you may then click on our 'External Page', which will bring you to the page that we are constructing at:(B) http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2066/ This is a free site, so there is currently no cost to the Society because our members have donated their time and their expertise to this effort. Although there are problems associated with using a free site, it was the most expedient way for us to get started and to demonstrate the value of this technology. We would like our membership to get involved and help support our efforts by providing content and feedback on what has been done so far.

Right now, visitors are able to read excerpts from Arthur Dobrin's book, 'Love is Stronger than Death' and see what is on the schedule at the Our Times Coffeehouse, or link to Amnesty International or the Long Island Progressive Coalition. We have posted the monthly newsletter and a guestbook where people may comment or ask questions. You can help us immediately in two ways: by adding content to our pages, and by giving us feedback on what we are doing. -- Linda Joe

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The Trans Media Card entitles you to 20% off your entire bill when you eat at any of the hundreds of restaurants that are part of their program. Those of you who have been members know the advantages!

Now, by calling 1-800-422-5090 and mentioning CODE #8251, you can still enjoy the advantages, while the Society receives a percentage as well. However, you must call and convert your membership, using the Code mentioned above, in order for the Society to receive benefits.

If you have never been a member of Trans Media and are interested in knowing more about it, call the Society office and they will send you a brochure and application.

It is a good, solid, fundraiser for the Society, as well as a chance for you to enjoy the benefits of dining out for less.

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We here at the society owe a major thank you to Natasha and Noah Brenner. Quietly and with no fanfare they have taken the responsibility of the Society's recycling upon themselves. Noah has been bringing our recyclables to his own home to make sure they are routed properly. Natasha has actually gone through the garbage pails to remove glass, plastics and other items that should not be there.

The building on Old Country Road is our religious home and it is time for all of us to take responsibility for the recycling chores. It is hypercritical for us to write letters to corporations and politicians urging ecological responsibility if we don't "walk our talk." After thanking Natasha and Noah, we each need to begin taking the responsibility for ourselves. If you or your child buys a drink or uses any recyclable item, please bring it home for proper sorting yourself. If that is impossible for some reason, then wash it and give it to the Brenners so they don't need to go through our trash.

I know that whenever I use a plastic utensil I pop it in my pocket when I'm through , bring it home, wash it and keep it for when ever I might need it.

Recycling is very simple and so if we all chip in to help, no one will be overwhelmed with the work involved.

The start of this new year seemed a good time to review how this column got the title, Pandora's Box! In Greek mythology Pandora is given a box filled with evil. In curiosity, she opens the box thereby letting all the evil escape into the world. Fighting against the tide her name is now synonymous with bringing bad things to the world.

A closer look at the myth reveals that we were lied to . We were told that the box contained only evil, but the one thing remaining - hope - was something good. If the box contained one good thing, it's likely that it also contained others. Mythically speaking, when Pandora (pan -"all", dora- "giving") opened the box she was giving good things to the world.

And so with the Public Affairs Committee. We like to open up Pandora's Box and look for the good we can make out of the bad things that we find. Said another way: we let the worms out of the can and make compost. By opening the box and getting involved in the issues we are working to foster something good. -- Janet Rudolph

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Meditation
David Fersh is opening his home for sitting and meditation in a group setting. This is for anyone, member or friend of the Society, with experience in any method or discipline of meditation. Sessions will be held on one Tuesday and one Thursday each month beginning with January 8th, 1998 and January 20th, 1998. Other dates are to be determined. There is no fee. Attendance is on a "come when you can" basis. Separate instruction for beginners will provided. Call David at (516) 271-9593 for time, address and directions. You must speak with David before coming .

Other Y.E.S. News
The YES group meets every other Sunday primarily as a discussion group. We will be having a holiday party December 19th at 7:00p.m. at the Antoniazzi's. YES members are encouraged to participate in Remembrance Sunday January 4th. The next YES meeting will be January 11th at 11:00 am.

Toiletry Drive
Irene Antoniazzi is running her third annual Toiletry Drive. Please bring unopened shampoo, soap, toothpaste and other bathroom items between now and the end of January. There will be a collection box in the lobby. At the end of the drive the toiletries will be organized into gift bags and distributed to the guests of the Mary Brennen Inn in Hempstead.

Please Take Note!
For your convenience The Ethical Humanist Society of L.I. is wheelchair accessible

Recognition of A Society Project
The Society's Women and AIDS Project was recently awarded $750 from the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls to produce a brochure. At the awards breakfast were Lynn Gross, Coordinator; Lyn Dobrin, co-founder; Ro Blake, project manager; and Jeri Woohouse, co-founder. Lynn Gross has just been appointed to the Ryan White Title I HIV Health Services Review Committee where she will make recommendations to the Nassau County Commissioner of Health regarding funding of HIV- related services. The Women and AIDS Project is a support and information network for professionals and others concerned about the impact of AIDS upon women.

Women of EHS News
We've had a wonderful, busy year- covered many topics, brought many new people to the group. We've discussed friendship, finances, menopause; we've sung and eaten together. Our retreat (our third!!) was special and provided many of us with the respite we were looking for. Our next meeting: Friday, January 9th, at the Society -Joan Beder host Many of you have asked about our next retreat. We are scheduled for October 3-4, 1998. Please let me know if you can host a meeting as I am setting up our 1998 schedule. I am also interested in hearing about topics that might interest you. Hope to see you soon. - Amy Antoniazzi

Thank You Received By The Society
"Thank you for your enormous food donations to Our Holy Redeemer Parish Outreach. Your contributions will help us to aid the many needy families in our Freeport Community this Thanksgiving. Your support of our ministry is greatly appreciated."

Weather Advisory
If, on Sunday morning, the weather conditions are hazardous enough to cancel our meeting, please call the Society at (516) 741-7304. There will be a recorded message on the answering tape after 9 a.m.

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• We were saddened to learn of the death of Frieda Weisberg, Phyllis Rosenfield's mother , very shortly after the observance of her 75th wedding anniversary. Joseph Bartley, father of Pat Milizio, also died last month. To both families go our sincere condolences. On December 7th the flowers that graced the platform were provided by Jean Smith in memory of Mr. Bartley.
• Inge Zadikov received a certificate recognizing her 25 years of service as a Literacy Volunteer.
• The mortgage on the home of Arthur and Lyn Dobrin has been paid off. Hooray!.
• Arthur Kaufman, son of Ruth and Joe, is a political scientist with the National Endowment for Democracy. In October he participated in the twelve day conference with representatives of many countries, in Seoul, Korea.
• GraceAnn Inyard happily shared her pleasure in happenings in the lives of two nieces. Meredith Inyard is engaged to be married. Annie Raleigh has successfully completed a Long Island Jewish Hospital - sponsored drug rehabilitation program. Annie has returned to high school where she is completing the work of the 11th and 12th grades in one year, getting excellent grades and expecting to graduate in June, 1998.
• The Feifer family shared several milestones with us. Daughter Jessica was elected vice-president of the seventh grade at Berner Junior High School in Massapequa. Despite breaking her wrist in September, Jessica earned a place on the travel basketball team of a CYO league. Young son, Brendan, competed in the Tiger Schulman Karate Challenge of Champions in New Jersey on December 6th. In this national competition Brendan placed fourth. Not to be outdone by his children, Ken Feifer, former treasurer of our Society, has been appointed Director of the Transplant Hospital at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City . Congratulations to all the Feifers, including Sue, who gets everybody where they are going, on time, fed, clothed and encouraged.
• Ruth Miller was pictured in Newsday along with other United Way volunteers.
• Ester Orner traveled to Australia and New Zealand. The Friday of her return lasted a full forty hours.
• Birthdays of which we have been informed in November were Jonathan Fersh, Peter Napoli , Morgan Schofer : Alyssa Paul, and Stephanie Rudolph had birthdays in December and Sammy Leibenhaut and Andrew Alexander in January.
• There's good news and bad. The bad refers to how many of our Ethical family have been ill or injured. The good refers to the recoveries these members are having. Jerry Ginsberg was hospitalized for pneumonia: he is now much better, Arthur Dobrin, as a result of an old athletic injury, had disintegrated tendons in the little finger of his left hand. Surgery to correct the "swan neck" (as the shape of the finger was described) had not yet been unbandaged as this issue went to press. We all hope for a good outcome.
• Henrietta Nessin experienced an ankle fracture while visiting at the home of her daughter on the day after Thanksgiving. She asked that we express her genuine thanks and appreciation to the many people who called, wrote and cheer her while she is immobile. Your expressions of concern have therapeutic effects. Since she will be homebound for another six weeks please try to keep in touch with her.
• Ruth Kaufman had cataract surgery on December 1st. By December 7th when she attended the Platform meeting she was able to tell us how relieved she was that this was behind her, and how much her vision had been improved by the procedure.
• Toby Shatkin had heart surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn on December 8th. The double bypass and heart valve replacement went very well and her doctor predicts an excellent recovery. Cards and letters might be welcome but calls would not be helpful at this time.
• This might be an appropriate time to make a contribution to the Society to express your feelings to your friends. Other reasons for a contribution might include, in addition to recovery form illness, a new achievement, birthday or anniversary celebration, memorial for someone who is no longer with us, or simply because you believe in Ethical Humanism and want to support it.
• We always like to end these reports with a happy note. Eighteen Society members and friends participated in a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera at a S.P.I.C.E. event arranged by Pat Spencer. Lisa Saft (That's Lisa Holton who has resumed her maiden name) instead of going to lunch with the rest of us, purchased a ticket for the matinee performance of La Clemenza di Tito. This was her first experience with live opera. Her elation is boundless. You never know where putting S.P.I.C.E. in your life may lead!
  Gertrude Delson

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• All members are welcome to all Board meetings. They are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Visitors are encouraged to contribute to any subject. If there is something that you wish the Board to consider please try to give us at least two weeks notice. President

• THE ELECTION PROCESS HAS BEGUN
  During the months of January and February each year, any member of the Society may submit, in writing, the name of any member whom they wish to nominate for consideration to be on the Board of Directors. They may place their own name in nomination or that of any other member. All nominations should be sent to: The Nominating Committee, The Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530. Names can be mailed, or brought to the office in a sealed envelope, to be received no later than February 28, 1998. Back to top

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