Newsletter

Newsletter of the Ethical Humanist Society of Greater Chicago

April 2007

Welcome to Our Sunday Morning Programs in April

• NANCY STOKEY, professor of economics at the University of Chicago, speaks on Sunday, April 1st. Her topic is “Giving Foreign Aid Effectively.” Stokey, an expert on economic growth and development, will review the findings of several prominent economists who have prioritized how $50 billion in new money could best be spent in tackling major world problems such as malnutrition, disease, civil conflict, financial instability, and climate change.

• MEL LIPMAN, president of the American Humanist Association, speaks on Sunday, April 8th. His topic is “Humanism: Past, Present, and Future.” Lipman, a lawyer and Humanist minister, will discuss how the humanist movement got to be what it is today, where it should be in the future, and “how we will get there.” My “biggest concern,” he says, “is to counter the propaganda that people who don’t believe in a supernatural being can’t live moral, ethical lives.”

• JEFF MISHUR, popular art historian and lecturer, speaks Sunday, April 15th, on “Decoding the Art of Leonardo DaVinci.” Taking advantage of interest in the novel and movie The DaVinci Code, Mishur will illustrate how Leonardo broke with the artistic traditions of his time. He will focus on Leonardo’s religious subjects, such as “The Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa,” and discuss Leonardo’s legacy for the Italian Renaissance.

• Our annual SPRING FESTIVAL, an intergenerational celebration of the seasonal renewal of life, is on Sunday, April 22nd. Our Sunday School children will put on a play and showcase their musical talents. They’ll also pass out spring flowers in hand-painted pots as a gift to our gardens.

• AL GINI, WBEZ commentator and professor of philosophy and ethics at Loyola University, returns on Sunday, April 29th. His topic is “Too Much Talk About God.” Gini will comment on most Americans’ profession of belief in God, despite an assumption that “modernity means less concern with religion.” He will ask why they “want to believe, need to believe, and seek to believe, especially in troubling times.”

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Coming Activities and Events

• Our SUNDAY MORNING COLLOQUIES, led by Ken Novak, are from 9:20 to 10 a.m. in the library. This month’s themes are Courage on April 1st, Friendship on April 8th, Faith on April 15th, Empathy on April 22nd, and Mortality on April 29th. These small gatherings provide a confidential time and place for us to examine how we live our lives.

• Our ETHICAL HUMANITIES non-fiction discussion group, led by Ken Novak, meets on Sunday, April 1st, at 12:20 p.m. We will discuss The God Delusion, the much-talked-about treatise dealing with supernatural belief by Richard Dawkins, arguably the world’s preeminent atheist. Vision-impaired? Ask to borrow the audio CD from Ken.

• Our READERS THEATER GROUP, led by Susan Burck, meets again on Monday, April 2nd, at 7 p.m. We’ll have fun reading a short play in our usual informal, friendly setting. Everyone is welcome. For information, see Susan or contact her at burck@earthlink.net.

• Our annual HUMANIST SEDER and Liberation Festival will be on Thursday, April 5th, at 6 p.m. Based on the traditional Jewish Passover, we’ll celebrate the escape of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and all other struggles for human freedom. Members and friends of all religious backgrounds are welcome. As is our custom, we’ll read from our “Humanist Hagaddah,” with its more universal, unorthodox outlook. We’ll enjoy a sumptuous Seder meal, with a chicken or vegetarian main course, beverages, and potluck side dishes. We’ll be led in music and song by Mary Bachman, Marilee Cole, Hadassah Dolgoff, and Mary Novakovic—plus several surprise artists.

Prices are $10 per person with a side dish, $20 without. Nonmembers will be asked for another $5, while seniors get a $5 discount. Children under 18 are free, being encouraged to come in exchange for helping in setup and cleanup. Space is limited, so register early. Preference is given to members. For reservations and what side dish to bring, contact Ron Baiman at baiman@sbcglobal.net.

• Our FIRST FRIDAY WINTER MOVIE SERIES, hosted by Dick Carney, resumes on Friday, April 6th, with a real treat—a film featuring a poor rooftop fiddler who fantasizes about being rich. Experience a rewarding evening of charming characters and great music. Light refreshments will follow. We start at 7:17 p.m.

• A WORKSHOP on “Explaining Humanism to Non-Humanists” is planned for Saturday, April 7th, from 1 to 3 p.m. It will be led by Mel Lipman, President of the American Humanist Association, our platform speaker the the next morning. We’ll work on how to respond when asked such questions as What is your religion? Are you an atheist? How can you determine what is right or wrong? What is the meaning of life for a humanist? For information on enrolling see Adult Education chair Ken Novak or contact him at kennovak@gmail.com.

• Our Second Saturday Coffeehouse, hosted by Vicki Elberfeld, is on April 14th, at 8 p.m. The featured performers are singer/songwriters and guitarists Larry Mesirow and Shelley Orbach. Larry performs original ballads as well as Spanish and Ladino songs. Shelley is a cantorial soloist at Congregation Or Shalom. Signup for open mike (any genre, all acoustic) begins at 7:30 p.m. There is a $5 minimum donation at the door. Moderately priced refreshments are available.

• Our FILM DISCUSSION GROUP, led by Alan Kimmel, meets on Monday, April 16th, at 7:15 p.m. Two new films have again been chosen. The Namesake, about love and cross-cultural conflict in an immigrant Indian family, was directed by Mira Noir and is based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiriu. Lookout, a crime drama that entangles a handicapped bank janitor, was directed and written by Scott Frank and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels.

• Our DOCUMENTARY FILM NIGHT, hosted by Marne Glaser and Paul Ozarowski, is on Friday, April 20th, at 7:30 p.m. We’ll see Calle 54. This vibrant documentary on Latin jazz was directed and narrated by Fernando Trueba and features such musicians as Paquito D’Rivera, Eliane Elias, and Tito Puente. There will be a concurrent showing of a children’s film. Refreshments and a discussion follow.

• Our ETHNIC DINNER OUT is on Saturday, April 21st, at Reza’s Restaurant, 5366 N. Clark St., in Chicago. Find free parking in a lot through a passageway across the street. This is upscale Persian dining, with entrees beginning at $12. We order at 5:30 p.m. Please contact Richard Curren or richard_curren@yahoo.com or to say you’re coming.

• Our CREATIVE WRITERS GROUP, led by Milt Zerkin, meets on the fourth Sunday of the month, April 22nd, at 12:30 p.m. We’ll again be sharing our original short works. As always, newcomers are welcome.

• Our next FICTION CIRCLE, led by Ken Novak, is on Sunday, May 6th, at 12:20 p.m. Power, weakness, loyalty, rivalry, coming of age, and coming of death—it’s William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy King Lear. We recommend reading Harold Bloom’s critical edition, published by Riverhead/Penguin, or if you prefer a version with modern prose alongside Shakespeare’s words, James Scott’s “side-by-side” Prestwick House paperback.

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Recent Sunday Programs

• NANCY FLANNERY, videographer and Board member of the Midwest chapter, National New Deal Preservation Association, spoke on February 18th. Her topic was “The Politics of Art: New Deal Murals and Local Personalities.” Sue Walton chaired the meeting.

Flannery hailed the historic efforts of President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration and its Federal Art Project. Much WPA art “has been thrown out and lost,” she said, “but we are trying to stop that.” She talked about the personalities involved in the public arts movement of the New Deal years. Among them were Harry Hopkins, first director of the WPA, and Increase Robinson, “an elegant, respected women” who directed the Illinois Arts Project. She discussed disputes over leadership styles, content and control of art projects, and artist unionization and poverty vows.

Flannery showed many slides of WPA murals and sculptures around the country, mainly at public facilities such as state parks, city schools and libraries, and U.S. post offices She described the artwork and the array of talented artists who created them, such as Archibald Motley, Jr., Peterpaul Ott, and Louise Ross. She complained that the Federal government has been doing too little to maintain WPA art.

• DANIEL THOMANN, graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and convener of the Chicago Alliance for the International Criminal Court, spoke February 25th on “The International Criminal Court and the United States.” Peter Less chaired the meeting.

Thomann called the International Criminal Court part of “a global effort to bring about the rule of law.” Continuing atrocities, mostly in Africa, are “distant but very real,” he said. But prosecution of acts of genocide and violation of human rights depends on individual nations joining the ICC and passing laws criminalizing the acts, he pointed out.

The U.S has been absent from the debate over these issues, Thomann went on, largely because of its refusal to join the Court or to recognize its jurisdiction. He pointed to the crucial role of churches and other non-government organizations in changing the “disconnect” between our policy makers and the publc, who though misinformed are favorable to the mission of the Court. He described Court procedures, including how the Court investigates complaints and holds hearings. “We’re moving to a time,” he concluded, when would-be criminals would know “they can’t get away with it.”

• “WHAT ETHICAL WOMEN ARE UP TO” was the topic of our special International Women’s Day program on March 4th. It was led by Cynthia Diaz and featured a panel of other Society members—Jo-Ann Hoeppner, Katie Merrell, and Sue Walton, who spoke about work, family, and what motivates them as ethical people. Questioning them were Hadassah Dolgoff, Sue Sherman, and Roz Trapp, and then members of the audience.

The panelists described their professions and the ethical issues and challenges they face, and discussed how they managed both work and family. They noted the changes in their workplaces and job requirements and their changing attitudes toward their jobs. They expressed increased confidence in their abilities and the satisfaction of jobs well done. They reminisced about the mentors in their lives, especially noting the support of parents and husbands. They mused about what other professional routes they might have taken, and joked about any difference being a woman had made in their lives. Also noted were their own good fortune and their work with faith-based groups.

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Our People

• Bob Gorman, a member of the Society for many years, died on February 17th at the age of 91. He grew up in Chicago and was a combat veteran of World War II. He was Roosevelt University’s first attorney. Priding himself as “a liberal lawyer,” Bob was a staunch defender of civil rights, running on a Pro-gressive Party slate for Cook County Superior Court judge in 1947 and representing conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War. A memorial for Bob was held by his family at the Society on February 5th. Ken Novak officiated. Our warmest sympathies go to his daughter Candace and son Robert.

• Shirlee Rubenstein has joined the Society. Shirlee lives in Evanston and works as a clinical social worker. She likes us for our “variety of programs, emphasis on community, and lack of emphasis on God.” That’s us, Shirlee. Welcome!

• Marne Glaser has joined Brian Barnes as co-chair of the Ethical Action Committee, augmenting the work of this vital arm of the Society that helps turn our words into deeds.

• Lisa Crowe is the chair of our new Environmental/ Recycling Committee. We’ll hear about their plans after an organizing meeting on Sunday, April 15th.<Mary Novakovic is our new newsletter mailing coordinator, taking over from Helen Smith. Thank you, Helen, for your many years of reliable and devoted service!

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Sunday School Scoop

Last month we talked about War and Cooperation. We played some cooperative games and made cookies to share for a snack. On the 18th we enjoyed a wonderful intergenerational presentation by Jon Basile of Big Run Wolf Ranch, who introduced us to a skunk, raccoon, coyote, and wolf and told us about his efforts to educate the public about the importance of their survival. He invited us to April 28h Family Day at the ranch (website, bbigrunwolfpark.org).

On April 1st we’ll be talking about Charity. We invite everyone to join us after the program in a blanket-making project for Project Linus and distribution of blankets to children in area hospitals. At the Spring Festival on the 22nd, we’ll once again share our talents in a program of music, skits, and laughter. If you’d like to join in the performances, see Steve Julstrom or me. Happy Spring!

—Sharon Appelquist, Director

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Notices and Announcements

• Our annual Memorial Day Weekend on the beautiful grounds of Conference Point Camp on Lake Geneva is May 26–28. Our members and friends are invited to join us in this season-ending getaway. It’s a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and get to know each other better. The price, for two nights and six meals (Saturday lunch to Monday breakfast), is $135 for members, $170 for nonmembers. Children ages 5–16 are half price, younger ones are free.

We’ll enjoy tasty, ample cafeteria-style meals (with salad bar), comfortable rooms, and exciting activities for all ages. For information and reservations, call Tom Hoeppner or the office. Suggestions for adult or children’s activities are welcome—especially if you can help with them!

• Our Annual Pledge Drive has come close to meeting its most ambitious goal ever of $55,000. As of mid-March, 114 pledging members had nudged us past $52,000, or 95 percent. Thank you so much for your commitment and generosity!

• Our Ethical Action Committee, chaired by Brian Barnes and Marne Glaser, organized a contingent of members and friends of the Society in the United for Peace and Justice “Troops Home Now!” march, on Tuesday, March 20th, 4th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

• The Future of Ethical Societies (FES) conference will be in New York, May 25–28. FES is the growing young adult affiliate of the American Ethical Union. Get application and scholarship information at http://ethicalfuture.org.

• The next AEU Assembly, hosted last year by our Society, will be held in New York, June 14–17.

• The AEU Summer School for Ethics will be at The Mountain Highlands in North Carolina, August 11–18. The school stresses ethical ideas and personal development. Registration information is available from Jone Johnson Lewis at jone@pbat.com.

• The American Humanist Association has applauded Rep. Pete Stark of California for his historic decision to come out as the first openly nontheistic member of Congress. Stark “joins…millions of other nontheistic Americans, including humanists, many of whom have long kept their views secret for fear of discrimination in their communities,” the AHA declared. Representing the East Bay since 1973, Stark is outspoken on issues of health care, the economy, and the environment, and is an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq.

• Membership in the Society is open to those who share our ethical goals. For information about us or the Ethical movement, see Membership Chair Tom Hoeppner. Our next Membership Orientation is on Sunday, April 1st, at 12:00 p.m., in the library.

• Our Tribute Fund is a convenient, caring way to publicly honor each other—with congratulations on a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, condolences on the loss of a loved one, wishes for recovery from an illness, or hailing a good deed. Get a Tribute form on a literature table.

• Newsletter subscriptions are $20 per year—if you’re not a member, a contributing friend, or new on our mailing list. Get the free pdf edition by e-mailing the office (include pdfnewsletter as the subject and your name and address). You can pick up a free printed newsletter at our building.

• Public transportation is available to our Sunday meetings. The #290 PACE bus leaves the Howard L station at 9:30 a.m. and goes to Touhy Ave. and Cicero Ave. (Skokie Blvd.). It’s then a short walk to our building. A return #290 bus to the Howard station leaves Touhy and Cicero at 1:20 p.m.

• For the May newsletter deadline, reports of Society activities must be given to editor Alan Kimmel by Sunday, April 22nd. Thanks!

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About Us

The Ethical Humanist Society of Greater Chicago is a democratic fellowship and spiritual home for those who seek a rational, compassionate philosophy of life without regard to belief or nonbelief in a supreme being. We value the importance of living an ethical, responsible, and joyful life. We promote intellectual, philosophical, and artistic freedom, avoiding dogma and rigid creed. We nurture a sense of wonder about life, nature, and the universe, and are inspired by models of human achievement. Shaped by the forces of humanism, democracy, science, and religious reform, we cherish human diversity and focus on what we have in common, not on what keeps us apart.

While respectful of the faiths and traditions we may have been born to, we serve as a new religion or as an alternative to religion.

We care for and support each other, sharing our joys and sorrows. Like traditional religious communities, we celebrate births, conduct wedding ceremonies, host memorial services, and provide for the caring, ethical education of our children.

We believe in deed beyond creed and in working for a better world. We recognize the worth and dignity of every person, and strive to act so as to bring out the best in others and thereby in ourselves.

Meetings of the Ethical Humanist Society are at our home in the Greiner Center, 7574 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL 60077. Sunday meetings start at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments and a social hour follow the program. Child care is available. Everyone is welcome. If you need transportation, please call the Society office by 1 p.m. Friday. We will try to get a ride for you. The Ethical Humanist Society of Greater Chicago was founded in 1882. The Society is a member of the American Ethical Union.

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The Ethical Humanist Society of Greater Chicago, founded in 1882, is a member of the American Ethical Union.

Officers and Trustees: Scott Walton, President; Matt Cole &
Dick Carney, Vice Presidents; Paul Ozarowski, Secretary; John Ungashick, Treasurer; Yolanda Adler, Joe Burck, Sheila Caplan Curren, Ed Drower, Peter Less, Oliver Pergams, Claude Williams

Sunday School Director: Sharon Appelquist
Office Administrator: Alison Martin
Newsletter Editor: Alan Kimmel
Ethical Officiants: Marne Glaser, Jo-Ann Hoeppner, Tom Hoeppner, Ken Novak
AEU Representative: Tom Hoeppner
Webmaster: Simeon Carson