38 Old Country Rd
Garden City,
NY 11530

(516) 741-7304

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For many, Sunday at the Society begins at ten or so. Those attending the colloquy come a little earlier, attendees of the Public Affairs discussion group come in about a half hour later and those arriving for the main meeting show up at about 10:45.

Most leave by 1:00.

But there are some who don't fit this description. These are a few of the quiet ones, people who do their share of work with little public acclaim - what some have called "little heroes," the workers who make an organization run a little more smoothly, a little more beautifully.

There are several such who I want to honor publicly, here, even though it may embarrass them a little.

The coffee is brewing before most walk through the doors. How does it happen? Mainly it is the work of Bessie Sanchez. Bessie is in the kitchen, every week, putting together the collation that we will enjoy several hours later.

But Bessie is usually not the first person in the building on Sundays. This honor belongs to George Roemer. I didn't know this until recently. I arrived at about 8 A.M. While I was at the audio cabinet, trying to get the music ready for later that morning, I saw a car pull up in the parking lot. Who could this be? It turned out to be George. "What are you doing here so early?" I asked. "I always bring milk for the meeting," he explained matter-of-factly. He then goes home, often returning later in the morning - unless he is fishing off Montauk. George also tends to our garden during the week. This I found out last year when I discovered him at the pond in the back. This time he was looking out for the gold fish, which he had put in. I wouldn't have known any of this except that I happened to be there when he was going about his work.

And the plants inside the building remain green and lush thanks to the efforts of Natasha and Noah Brenner. N & N are more visible in their work since they take up the water cans after the meeting. In addition to the indoor gardening, they are also amongst the last to leave the building, as they have their sleeves rolled up and hands deep in water in the sink.

The honor for the longest and least-noticed stint of solitary service must go to Jill Weill. At 9:30 on Founder's Day this year, I discovered Jill in our garden. I knew that she had been working all week to plant flowers and plants by the side door. That morning she was covered in mud. I asked what time she had arrived. "I have been here since yesterday afternoon," she said. I had to ask again, since I couldn't believe what she was telling me. But it was true. She had spent the entire night working outside, using the classroom lights to see by. And what had she done all these hours? Moved a pear tree, for one. By herself. In the dark. In the middle of the night.

So, it turns out that we, too, have our angels. I wonder how many more there are lurking in the most unexpected places at the most ungodly hours.

====== Arthur Dobrin

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We are pleased to announce the release of two prisoners of conscience who were featured in the 1998 Holiday Card Action.

Ngarley Yorongar le Moiban of Chad was freed on February 5 after eight months in detention. His release was announced in a presidential decree that cited "humanitarian reasons."

Following his release Ngarley Yorongar sent a message on thanks to members of Amnesty International who campaigned on his behalf with a special acknowledgement to the AIUSW members who had sent him holiday cards.

"Your actions, combined with the chain of solidarity of activists all over the world, have led to my release," he said. "I don't know how to thank you. Without this chain of solidarity, I would still be in that regrettable well known prison...I encourage you to continue working on behalf of prisoners who, all over the world, are rotting in jails of dictators...My greetings to all the Amnesty International activists who wrote to me, encouraging me to hold out. I can tell you that your letters were confiscated by the security police, and it is only since my release that I have been able to read some letters sent from the United States, which slipped through the net... My warmest thanks and sincerest gratitude."

Cho Sang-nok of South Korea, also featured in the Holiday Card Action, was released in presidential amnesty in Late February 1999. Cho, who had refused to sign an oath to abide by South Korea's notorious National Security Law, had been the subject of work for many years by group #224 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The members of the Ethical Society's AI group, #74, thank all of you who participated in the holiday card campaign. Your cards do make a difference.

======== Lyn Dobrin

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As the Sunday School year ends with Recognition/Graduation Day on June 6th, plans are already being initiated for the 1999-2000 season.

One component of our Sunday School that I am considering is monthly family programs. This year as in previous years, programs have been both instructional and enjoyable.

Last October, we had a speaker from Long Island Cares give the children an overview of the hunger problems in our communities. In November, a children's concert was held and in December our families met to share holiday customs.

The Spring months have included an outstanding video about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., interviews of the parents by their children and an hour devoted to a reading and discussion of THE LORAX, an environmental story by Dr. Seuss.

On alternating months, the parents have met with Arthur to discuss various topics of interest relating to parenting and religious education.

Although not all the families are able to stay for these programs, those who do have found them worthwhile and I will be working to make them as interesting and variable in our next Sunday School year.

Last month a flyer advertising the one week Children's Summer Ethics program was enclosed with the Society newsletter. If you have not done so already, please take the time to post it on a bulletin board in your neighborhood.

There are additional copies available if you are willing to post more than one. This is an outreach to our community and your help is needed to make it successful. Thank you.

======= Linda Napoli

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The Saturday Adult Group is an opportunity for adults to meet and enjoy lively discussion on a variety of topics.

All meetings are held at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY. at 11:00 a.m. The cost for the program is $3. Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided. The Ethical Society is located at the western end of Old Country Road (between Mineola Boulevard and Herricks Road), next to the blue water tower. For information, call 516-741-7304.

Schedule as follows:

• June 5 - Elderhosteling: Travel and Learning Here and Abroad - Thinking of participating in Elderhostel? Come hear seasoned Elderhostel participant's Natasha and Noah Brenner as they describe some of their experiences in more than 5 such learning vacations. A short film on Elderhostel will be shown.
• June 12 - The Life and Music of Chopin Florence Sidel, concert pianist, will play the powerful and beautiful music of Frederick Chopin and relate stories about his interesting life.
• June 19 - Creative Writing Richard Rapp will give us pointers on short story and other kinds of writing.
• June 26 - Memories of a Depression Girlhood Ann Sheraga will read from her own short stories based on her experiences growing up in Harlem in the 1930's.

The Travel Club for Singles will present a program by noted travel speaker, Ms. Betsy Gulotta. Ms. Gulotta will discuss traveling to Costa Rica, which is new, beautiful and a little known travel destination. Small Fee. For additional information, please call 516-594-1992.

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• An older member, single and male, is looking for a one bedroom apartment. If you know of anything, contact Arthur.
• The Dobrin family was featured, with a family photo, in a story about multi-cultural families that appeared in a subscribers-only supplement in Time magazine in May.

We were all saddened when we learnedof Joe Kaufman's unexpected death in April. Joe was a devoted member who did the important often unnoticed work of the Society. He fixed what needed repairing, he cleaned up what needed cleaning and he collected the songbooks at the end of every Sunday Meeting.Joe was a hardy, generous, straightforward and loving person.

He will be missed by his family and all of us who were touched by his honesty and passion for the common person.

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Next Meeting: Sun. September 19 10:00 am (Several members have expressed the desire to meet on the third Sunday in June and July. If anyone is interested please speak to myself, Bob Horn or anyone else on the committee.)

We've covered some very big issues this year and this final newsletter of the season offers the opportunity to provide updates.

Both the Public Affairs Committee and the Board of the Society has endorsed a resolution to close the School of the Americas. A vote in the House of Representatives in 1998 to close the school lost by a vote of 212 to 201. This year another bill to close the school (HR 732) has been introduced by Rep. Moakly of Massachusetts. Sen. Dubin of Illinois is expected to introduce similar legislation in the Senate. Please call or write to your legislators and ask them to co-sponsor the bills. For a text of the bill and other information, you can access the web site of School of the Americas Watch at www.soaw.org/

There are protests periodically at Peter Kings office, the only representative on Long Island who has not supported the closure of the school. Information on this as well as other political action alerts can be found at Peacesmith's phone line at 264-2008.

Mumia Abu Jamal is still awaiting execution in Pennsylvania. Internationally, protesters have been trying to focus media and public attention to the case in order to compel an appeal of the sentence and hopefully, a new trial. On April 24, simultaneous protests were held in Philadelphia and San Francisco. Our own Bob Horn attended the protest in Philadelphia as did Barbara and Bob Goldberg, embers of the Long Island Alliance. According to Channel 4 news, there were 7,000 protesters in Philadelphia and 15,000 in San Francisco. Bob Goldberg estimated that there were more than 10,000 at the Philadelphia protest based on the count he did of buses (over 300) that carried 50 people each.

Lori Berenson is still in prison in Peru. Recent press reports have said that her health is deteriorating. According to the free Lori web site, there are letters circulating the Senate and the House in support of a diplomatic solution to Lori's imprisonment. Please write to your legislators. The website can be accessed at www.freelori.org/

Finally I would also like to thank the membership who so supported the case of Adelaide Abankwah, the Ghanese woman who has asked for asylum based on her fear of genital mutilation in her native country. Her asylum was denied and she has been in prison for two years now awaiting the disposition of her case. Her final appeals hearing was on Monday May 3. We were able to fax over 30 letters to Doris Messiner, the Commissioner of the INS on the Sunday before. As of this writing, a decision on her case has not yet been handed down. I spoke to a representative from Equality Now, the agency involved in her case (as well as the Fairuza Kasinga case several years ago). She was very hopeful after sitting in at the hearing. The judges apparently asked compassionate questions and on the face, at least, appeared sympathetic to her cause. Let us hope that our action has made a difference.

====== Janet Rudolph

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What did you like at Sunday meetings this year? Who would you like to hear next year? Any ideas for topics for the coming season? Come on Wednesday June 23 and bring your ideas and contacts. -- All Welcome!

The meeting will be at the Society on Wednesday June 23 at 8:00 p.m.

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The Alliance is actively opposing the US/NATO bombing of Yugoslavia by holding press conferences and frequent demonstrations. We call upon the United Nations to take charge of negotiating a peaceful settlement since the chances of the war ending by the time this newsletter is printed seem slim, I am going ro elaborate on the many reasons why the Alliance opposes the bombing:

1. NATO is violating international law. The UN charter prohibits enforcement action by regional organizations without the authorization of the Security Council.
2. NATO is violating it s own charter, which states that "The parties undertake, as set forth in the charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means... and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United nations." This commitment was reaffirmed in May 1997 in a new agreement between NATO and the Russian Federation.
3. The Serbian security forces reacted to the bombing by unleashing all restraint in their ethnic cleansing campaign. Between march 1998 and March 1999, 2,000 Albanian Kosovars had been killed and approximately 400 thousand had been displaced, undoubtedly a deplorable situation. However, more than a million and a half have been displaced and countless more killed since the NATO bombing began. In addition, the US/NATO order for the withdrawal of 2,000 OSCE observers in the days Immediately preceding the bombing created an atmosphere in which the Intensification of crimes against the Albanian Kosovars was made possible. Wasn't this what we were trying to prevent?
4. The White House is manipulating the American public by comparing Milosevic to Hitler and using the word "genocide" to describe the situation in Kosovo. Milosevic is condemnable and should be prosecuted as a war criminal by the War Crimes Tribunal, but a distinction must be made between ethnic cleansing and genocide, which is defined as "the systematic killing of a whole people or nation" (Webster's New World dictionary).
5. The Rambouillet Accord contained provisions that would have subjected all of Yugoslavia to NATO occupation, and was presented as an ultimatum, not as a negotiation. This was rejected, but Serbian Parliament did express a willingness to discuss the possibility of a UN led presence in Kosovo. However, the rejection of NATO's proposed occupation gave it just the excuse it needed to launch its attack.
6. The motives of the US/NATO have very little to do with humanitarian concerns. The goal of the US is to dominate the Balkans because it is a strategic region, a crossroads between Western Europe and the oil rich Middle East and Caspian Basin. The US does not have a history of humanitarian intervention in similar conflicts. It did nothing to prevent the ethnic cleansing of more than a million Kurds by the Turkish government in the early 1990's (note that turkey is not a NATO member). the US took no action when half a million Tutsis were exterminated in Rwanda in 1994, and had been supplying weapons to the Indonesian government while it slaughtered half the population of East Timor.
7. As "surgical bombing" becomes more reckless, many innocent Serbian citizens have been killed and injured. Dozens of unexploded cluster bombs litter the villages and will continue to kill and injure civilians.
8. The government of Milozevic has been strengthened by the bombings as the Serbs rally behind their leader, and the fledgling democracy movement in Yugoslavia has been weakened.
9. Tensions between the US and Russia and between the US and China are escalating and will reduce the chances for future nuclear disarmament negotiations.
10. The bombing is having disastrous impact on the environment due to the targeting of oil refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical and fertilizer factories, and through the use of depleted uranium bullets. These radioactive bullets, also used in the Gulf War, are implicated in the high cancer rates plaguing southern Iraq currently and in Gulf War Syndrome of the veterans of that war.
11. The cost to taxpayers is currently estimated at $15 billion and will further deplete funds for important domestic programs such as Medicare.

You can also sign the online petition at www.stopthewarnow.com

There will also be a march on the Pentagon June 5 at noon in Washington, D.C. Call Peace Smiths at 798-0778 for more information.

======== Peggy Jacobs

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• Andy and Peggy Jacobs celebrated their 23rd anniversary on May 16, and their son, DJ, celebrated his 16th birthday on May 1
• Al D'Angelos's daughter, Eva, has graduated from Sacred Heart Academy with honors and she will be attending Hofstra on scholarships

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My memories of Sunday School go back to the early 1960's. I can remember the kindergartners went to a different building until enough space was available. We ran outside a lot when the weather was warm and a certain member would yell at us kids to stay off the grass.

Adele Berardi sticks in my mind as my favorite teacher.

I also recall that although I couldn't really grasp the full meaning if the Ethical Society I knew that I was different because I didn't attend Temple or Church like all my other friends.

I generally enjoyed Sunday's with my family of which the Ethical Society was a big part of the day.

======= Russell D. Weill

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The day began like many others: sunlight beaming into the room, dogs barking and the usually AM routine. But this was not a routine day by any stretch of the imagination. For this was Founder's Day and we were being honored (roasted). And the rest goes down in history.

The day was splendid, a wonderful mixture of the serious and the sublime, the sentimental and the outrageous. We were deeply appreciative to all those who helped make this a memorable day in our lives. We laughed until our sides ached and had tears at many moments during the afternoon (hopefully, each emotion was experienced at the correct time).

For the crew who made this happen, it was perfect. To our Society, which has made so many things happen for us and others, we thank you.

===== Bone Jeder and Beve Steder = Joan and Steve Beder

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I have been forced to start a new tradition - that is writing about Founder's Day after it takes place. Accordingly, I don't have to worry about comparisons.

For those who were unable to attend, I will try to give a sense of what took place.

If Steve Beder seems not to talk to much-there's a good reason - before attending the Sunday morning platform, he has already talked with his dozen or so tropical fishes, as well as his two Portuguese water dogs-Good therapy, I understand, (for all parties).

As for Joan-she is not a gabber, but when she talks, we all listen. Her training and her general brilliance makes her comments right to the point.

To get down to business-the actual affair. It's like trying to write the history of Greek culture in a couple of paragraphs, I'll try.

Joan and Steve are big people, bigger than life, and their accomplishments and contributions are immeasurable, though it was attempted on Sunday, May 2, 1999.

For years the emceeing was done by Lyn Dobrin, but she passed the "whatever it is called" to Ken Feifer, who did credit to his commission.

After a welcome by our leader, Arthur dobrin, there were songs and there were songs with meaningful lyrics written by Arlene Baum and Lyn Dobrin, sang by the "good voices" of our Society, too numerous to mention, accompanied on the piano by Barbara Grey. Ken Schwartzman led the last one, requesting audience participation.

All manor of skits kept the guests in stitches. Chief was Herb Coston, who assumed the role of Joan's "not cured" patient, head of The Tropical Fish ssociation, a consultant and "attempted motor cyclist," with clothes and props appropriate for each position.

Alan cohen recounted "Great Lovers" in history, and included the Beder's.

Marianne Cohen, Sue Feifer and Lyn Dobrin gave emotional talks about their respective relationships with the Beder's. And sons Eric and Daniel in their speeches proved to all of us that the Beder's had done something right. We know they have done lots right.

Richard Rapp paid tribute to "Bone" and "Jeve" in a comical sketch which was "mun" and "ferriment".

A very professional performance by Rob Napoli of Steve before surgery and his transformation after. (We are all indebted to 20th century advances so that Steve was able to be with us thanks to a bypass operation a few years ago.)

Let's now get to the bottom of things. Joan lets out all her inhibitions around her ankles. In recognition of this "fetish" many members wore wild socks. (See Lisa Saft's group photo for confirmation.) Did you see the "sock" cookies? (ask for interpretation.) Julia Sukenik wrote a clever ode to Joan and then threw her a bunch of "on the wild side" socks.

A 10 year old nephew gave a short greeting to Uncle Steve, hoping that since he moved East he would have a chance to get to know Steve (that's a big order for anyone).

Fish decorated the windows in recognition of Steve's hobby. The real fish did not appear, they were home in their water beds.

Food was "gourmetish," courtesy of Franko Neretich, and desserts were compliments of our famous in-house bakers.

The afternoon ended with a touching speech by Steve (he really can talk) and a short "thank you" from Joan for all the contributors to this sensational day.

If you want further coverage, videotapes are available - see David Fersh.

===== Irma Shapiro

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On Monday, May 17, the Ethical Opera Group held its first meeting, and a very successful and enjoyable one it was. Nine members attended and decided we would:

1. Meet once a month, on a Friday night, at a different member's home each month.
2. Have the host choose arias related to a theme or topic. Examples might be an evening of the music of a popular composer, such as Puccini or Verdi, or an evening of duets (soprano and tenor or tenor and baritone, for example).
3. Open each meeting to opera-loving friends who are not members of the Ethical Society.

======== Mel Haber

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