Table of Contents
Letters from the Editors

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the American Ethical Union as Dialogue editor for the last three years. Dialogue is a publication that is close to my heart: it has tremendous appeal, and it holds the potential to reach many members and readers in the United States and abroad. As the American Ethical Union’s most regular publication for Ethical Societies across the country, Dialogue serves the membership with a platform for national debate and convergence on issues that are current, relevant and essential for the Movement in the 21st century and beyond.

As times change, we must move with them. The last three years have seen enormous changes, as Dialogue has moved from a quarterly print publication to a quarterly online publication. I am proud of the AEU for making this transition: web-based publications are the way all non-profit institutions are moving for good reason. The environmental, economic, and communicative benefits of web-based publications will (I hope) open up a host of new possibilities for the AEU, and make our publications more readily available and marketable to wider audiences. Already we see many Ethical Societies, groups, leaders and committees using Facebook pages, and other social networking sites to reach a membership and an audience that is already wired-up and mobile. With the advent of apps such as Twitter and Facebook becoming more the norm than the exception, Dialogue remains committed to delivering a quality publication that continues to reflect our ethical values, but also takes advantage of the benefits that new technology and delivery systems can offer. For example, I hope (eventually) the Web will allow us to offer Felix Adler’s writings as e-books for download. And this is just the beginning!  

We grow when we embrace change in good spirits and in good faith. Times of change give us an opportunity to live our values by embracing essential progress. In looking towards our short-, mid-, and long-term future, the American Ethical Union and Dialogue Online are poised to move forward — as am I. As I work towards completing my Masters degree in Texas, I am delighted to pass the editorial baton of Dialogue over to Ms. Emily Newman. Emily Newman is an excellent choice for editor, and I am confident she will bring many strengths and assets to the position. Raised in the Movement at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Emily is a graduate and former teacher of the BSEC Children’s Sunday Assembly and is now an active member of the Future of Ethical Societies (FES). Read Emily’s letter below for more details!

I warmly embrace Emily’s tenure as the new editor of Dialogue, and look forward to continue reading about the national and global ethical issues that connect us — as members of the AEU and the Ethical Culture Movement, and as human beings. Finally, I thank all members of the American Ethical Union and the AEU Board for their support over the last three years. In particular, special thanks go to Donna Pang, L. Miller, Dick Reichart, and Ivo Antoniazzi for their unwavering support and excellent work for Dialogue. I deeply appreciate all I have learned from having the privilege of working with such a committed and supportive team, and I speak from the heart when I say, please keep in touch!

I wish Emily the best of luck. We are fortunate to have her serve the AEU as the new Dialogue editor. Please join me in welcoming her!

Ethically yours,

Michèle



Like many young Ethical Humanists, I am trying to understand my place in the Ethical Culture Movement and how I want to connect with the members and Societies. I also ponder my place in the world and endless other existential questions.

I took a hiatus from Ethical Culture when I moved to Pittsburgh, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Creative Writing and a Master’s degree in Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. Since returning to New York, I have freelanced for a few nonprofit organizations and companies, worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme and UN Women, become a Team Leader for New York Cares (the city’s largest volunteer organization), and am now the Office Manager of the Cynthia King Dance Studio in Brooklyn. Various events and people convinced me to reconnect with the Brooklyn and New York Societies and learn more about the amazing work being done by our Societies and affiliates worldwide.

The past few months have given me some great opportunities to be involved in the aspects I am most passionate about. I have joined the Religious Education Committee (I look forward to connecting the email addresses to faces at the upcoming AEU Religious Education Fall Conference and Family Weekend November 4–6); I reconnected with fellow FES members at our recent conference (see “FES Takes Over Brooklyn”); and, last but certainly not least, I took over the position of Dialogue editor from the lovely Michèle Sharon. What better way to figure out how I can connect with Societies than by literally helping Societies connect with each other?

Thank you to Michèle for all your great advice, helpful notes, and sweet encouragement. Your dedication to assisting the development of the Movement continues to inspire me. Thank you to L. Miller, Dick Reichart, Ivo Antoniazzi, and Donna Pang for your patience and support during the production of my first issue (with many more to come). A big thank you to those who contributed and a giant thank you in advance to the many who will contribute in the future.

Have a great summer. See you this fall,

Emily