AEU Weekly Update: Monday, September 25, 2023

Dear Members,  

What Is It Like Being Raised in Ethical Culture?

Last week, we asked you to share with us how being raised in Ethical Culture impacted who your child is today. Here is a response we received:

“I have been a member since 1965, and we raised our children in Ethical Culture. While they started Sunday School at the New York Society, they ended at Bergen. My daughter graduated from Sunday School, and though my son did not (he was away at school), he maintained ties through us. They are both in their fifties now. If you look back through some of the old newsletters of the AEU, there are stories about people raised in Ethical Culture. The first hundred pages of American Prometheus (the Oppenheimer story) are also of interest, and I am sure there are many other sources.”

– Ellen McBride, Member of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, New Jersey

Calling All Members Participating in Grant-Writing: 

Did you apply for a grant in the spring?

We want to hear about what you applied for and where you are in the process and feature your responses in our weekly blog.

Please contact PresidentandVP@aeu.org. 

Featured Board Member of the Week 

We feature new board members each week so everyone can get to know them and connect with the leadership. Please meet Rita Wilson (she/her), the new Board Director representing the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture.

Rita resides in Brooklyn and is an active retiree who continues to volunteer. Her career included education, postal, communication, managerial, and customer service. Rita has spent years involved and working in the BSEC community on committees and holding different positions on the board of trustees.

Rita was introduced to Ethical Culture through an evening of fun at the NY Society. She says, “I’m a jazz enthusiast, attended a concert, picked up literature in the lobby of the building at 64th and Central Park West, read it, and found the philosophy similar to my own…the rest is history.”

Just before the pandemic, Rita was volunteering at the AEU’s office and the annual conference. She has also served as the YES (Youth of Ethical Societies) Coordinator under Lois Kellerman and trained as an officiant under Lisel Burns. Rita served as Board liaison for YES, an elected Board secretary, and pledge secretary. 

In community, 

Khandra, Jé, Liz, and Anya

Reach us at PresidentandVP@aeu.org.