Ethical Society of Northern Westchester

03/05/2026

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, stress and mental overload have become part of daily life. In this talk, Cheryl introduces Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a simple, natural, and effortless technique that allows the mind and body to settle into deep rest and why it is uniquely effective in enhancing overall well-being.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of how regular meditation supports mental health, creativity, and inner stability.
Cheryl Smith Alvarez is the Director of the Westchester Transcendental Meditation Center in Katonah, NY, and a certified TM teacher with the David Lynch Foundation in Manhattan. With a background as a Registered Dietitian and current Master’s candidate in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, Cheryl brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge, holistic wisdom, and practical experience to her work.

02/16/2026

It says a great deal about a movement for it to persist for a century and a half. Is it good for another century?

For 9 years Dr. Richard L. Koral served as Leader for both the New York Society for Ethical Culture and The Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island. He is a graduate of New York University, New York Law School and Hebrew Union College where he earned his Doctor of Ministry. He also attended the Humanist Institute. Richard resides in nearby South Salem and has been a member of the Westchewster Community for Ethical culture for over 30 years.

02/11/2026

The Medical Aid in Dying Act was passed by the New York legislature in 2025 and signed by Governor Hochul early this year.
The act allows a mentally competent terminally ill patient to request a prescription for self-administered medicine to hasten his or her death.
Join guest speaker, Courtney Morris for a brief overview of some of the important legal cases concerning both passive and active euthanasia.
Together we will examine some of the ethical and philosophical considerations concerning medical aid in dying.
Courtney Morris is an Associate Professor of Philosophy. She specializes in the history of philosophy and the philosophy of pedagogy. She has published articles in journals including Teaching Philosophy, The History of Philosophy Quarterly, and the Journal of the Philosophy of Education

02/08/2026

It’s been a rough year for science, so our annual Darwin Day platform is the perfect antidote.
Come join Katrine Bangsgaard and Bill Kline for stories of some good news in science, a consideration of Darwin and ethics, some inspiration, and of course songs, featuring new original music by member, poet, and songwriter Alan Stockman.

01/08/2026

01/08/2026

The brain functions electrically and chemically. The several trillion electrical connections among the brain cells provide a mechanism for communicating with the brain and exerting some control over it.
Join Milt Steinberg as he explores the brain and the mechanisms for communication and control that are being developed now.

Milt Steinberg is professor emeritus in Psychology at Marymount College of Fordham University, and holds a Ph.D in Neuropsychology from CUNY. He has taught a variety of subjects in the field, including neuroscience and experimental psychology, and has even taught a few computer courses. Milt is also a long time ESNW member; he serves as Board Secretary, and also plays pivotal roles as Zoom moderator, music coordinator and impresario for our seasonal festivals.

10/31/2025

Sunday November 2nd • 11:00 AM In-Person and Via Zoom
“Is The Golden Age of Free Speech at an End and Did It Ever Really Exist?”
with Eric Heinze, Professor of Law & Humanities, Director, Centre for Law, Democracy, and Society, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London
The US cherishes its traditional constitutional guarantees of free speech. But how traditional are they? Throughout most of US history, state and local governments curbed public protests with a free hand.
Far from dating back to the Revolution, First Amendment safeguards are mostly the product of US Supreme Court decisions reached only after World War II, which could be called the “Classical Age” of free speech - and which the current administration seeks to bring to an end.
After completing advanced studies in the University of Paris, Harvard Law School, and the University of Leiden, Eric became Professor of Law in the University of London. He has been a Fulbright Fellow (Utrecht), DAAD fellow (Berlin), and Chateaubriand Fellow (Paris), as well as receiving grants from the Nuffield Foundation, Harvard University, and the European Union.

10/25/2025

History - both that of a society as well as an individual - is an amalgam of stories: ones we have heard, ones we create, ones we share, and ones we keep to ourselves. At this meeting, we will reflect on the stories of our lives, both ones we have held on to, and ones we have chosen to let go of, and consider how these stories have shaped us into who we are today.

A colloquy is a means of exploring ethical values on a personal level that leaves participants looking inward and with a deeper understanding of themselves.

Long-time member Eileen Gallagher will facilitate. Eileen has taught English for over 35 years, and has led many program discussions at ESNW.

10/02/2025

Join us on Oct. 5 for our inaugural ESNW ‘Hot Topics with Hot Cakes!’ Pancake Breakfast! We will gather together in our platform space, at 11am as usual, for opening music, words and announcements, followed by a brief explanation of how the pancake breakfast and accompanying discussions will occur.
We will then break at 11:30 to kick off our first pancake breakfast!

06/14/2025

Echoes of Freedom: A Juneteenth Journey is a powerful program narrated by Joyce Sharrock Cole, blending history, performance, and spirit. Through the voices of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Langston Hughes, and W.E.B. Du Bois, portrayed by actors, the story of Juneteenth comes alive. Their words, woven with sacred spirituals, remind us that freedom is not a moment, it’s a movement.

Joyce Sharrock-Cole is a regionally recognized storyteller and award-winning historian who uplifts silent stories; unearthing narratives that have long gone untold. As Village Historian of Ossining, she brings hidden histories to light through powerful storytelling and deep research. Joyce is the founder of JSC Research LLC, holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, and is completing her MA in History.
Her work inspires communities to honor the past and move forward with purpose.

06/07/2025

Democracy versus autocracy is more than just an abstract conflict between competing principles. When our nation shifts toward authoritarianism, it affects all of us. Quite literally, our lives, liberty, and pursuit of happiness are at stake. Join guest speaker Dennis Parker who will share his thoughts about ways to mitigate the damage being done by the current administration.
Dennis D. Parker has been a persistent leading voice for change in the ongoing battle against discrimination— in his current role, and previously as Director of the Racial Justice Program for the ACLU, Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau in the Office of the New York Attorney General, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

04/24/2025

This isn’t about cancel culture—it’s about full history. On Sunday, April 27th, guest speaker Eric Heinze will speak about his latest book, Coming Clean. The book invites us to look at both sides of the ideological spectrum with the same critical lens.
Coming Clean(MIT Press, 2025), Eric Heinze agrees we must teach about these bleak pasts, but WE MUST ALSO educate the public about the left’s own support for regimes that damaged and destroyed millions of lives. After completing advanced studies in the University of Paris, Harvard Law School, and the University of Leiden, Eric became Professor of Law in the University of London. He has been a Fulbright Fellow (Utrecht), DAAD fellow (Berlin), and Chateaubriand Fellow (Paris), as well as receiving grants from the Nuffield Foundation, Harvard University, and the European Union.