Drawing Classes
Thursday, October 9
6:00 – 7:45 PM
Room 507
Sunday Meeting, October 12
Early Sunday Morning - 10:00 a.m. - Room 408
Colloquy: Adversity. Virginia Arnold presides.
Sunday School - Ethics for Children - 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rooms 507 & 508
We the Kids… The World is in Our Hands! Everyday Leaders Making a Difference in the World
Sunday Meeting - 11:15 a.m. - Auditorium
"City of Disorder: How the Quality-of-Life Campaign Transformed New York Politics"
Dr. Alex S. Vitale, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Brooklyn College
Curt Collier presides
Professor Alex Vitale will address the role of democratic mayors in the rise of homelessness in New York and the political backlash that brought neoconservative mayor Rudolph Giuliani to power. He will discuss the inadequacy of efforts by current mayor Michael Bloomberg to deal with hunger and homelessness.
Professor Vitale is the author of a recent book with the same title in which he elaborates on these issues. During Social Hour, he will be available to sell and sign his book. Later, at the 1:45 pm afternoon program (a PIC open meeting), he will discuss the topic of his talk and book with the attendees and respond to challenges and questions. Everyone is welcome to attend this afternoon PIC-sponsored program.
Professor Vitale teaches criminology and the sociology of law at Brooklyn College. He has published articles in a variety of academic journals and worked as a consultant for the New York Civil Liberties Union and other organizations.
Lunch - 12:30 p.m. - Social Hall
Afternoon Activities
1:45 p.m. - Ceremonial Hall, 4th floor
PIC Open Meeting. “City of Disorder….” Dr. Alex Vitale will lead a discussion of this morning’s Platform address and his book, both titled: City of Disorder: How the Quality-of-Life Campaign Transformed New York Politics. In this PIC-sponsored program, he will welcome questions and challenges from his audience. Everyone is welcome at what should be a lively, thought-provoking session. Abe Markman presides.
2:00 p.m. - Room 507
Teen Ethical Leadership Program. For more
Society Offices Closed - Columbus Day
Monday, October 13
Enter your email address:
The Joy of Personal Writing – Fall Semester
Tuesday, October 14 (Monday was a holiday)
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Room 508
Socrates Café
Wednesday, October 15
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Room 508
Join Ken Gans for a stimulating philosophical discussion on humanism and basic philosophical questions. If you are interested, contact Ken Gans at 212-787-7000 ext. 1039. No charge and no reservations needed.
Great Books: Great Conversations II
Wednesday, October 15
7:30 - 9:00 PM
Room 507
The Bible, The Story of Samson (Judges 13-16). List for the season
Leader Lunch Discussion - "Faith and Politics: Where Do We Draw the Line?"
Thursday, October 16
12:00 PM
Room 507
Bring your lunch and join Anne Klaeysen.
October 16 - John McCain, raised Episcopalian; now attends a Southern Baptist church. For more
Video taping
Thursday, October 16
1:30 PM
Room 507
Chuck Debrovner will video tape Abe Markman repeating his Labor Day weekend address “East Harlem in the Sixties – A Personal Odyssey”.
Drawing Classes
Thursday, October 16
6:00 – 7:45 PM
Room 507
The Joy of Personal Writing
Thursday, October 16
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Room 508
Sunday Meeting, October 19
Early Sunday Morning - 10:00 a.m. - Ceremonial Hall, 4th floor
Singing Practice - Led by Patricia Bruder Debrovner and Jerry Ranck.
Early Sunday Morning - 10:00 a.m. - Room 408
Poetry Readings - spend a peaceful hour reading and listening to the poems we especially like. Please bring your own favorites to read, or just come and listen. Cheryl Gross presides.
Sunday School - Ethics for Children - 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rooms 507 & 508
We the Kids… The World is in Our Hands! Everyday Leaders Making a Difference in the World
Sunday Meeting - 11:15 a.m. - Auditorium
"In Defense of the Secular State"
Robert Boston, Assistant Director of Communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Dr. Anne Klaeysen presides
In his talk, Robert Boston will debunk claims that secularism is an anti-religious or corrosive force. He will defend secularism as the best mechanism to achieve religious and philosophical freedom and will explain why the mixture of religion and government is harmful to society.
Mr. Boston, who joined the Americans United staff in 1987, is recognized as a leading writer and researcher on church-state topics and a tireless advocate for the separation of church and state. He frequently writes about religion in public schools, tax aid to sectarian education, religious freedom, and the political goals of the Religious Right. He also covers the US Supreme Court for Church & State, AU’s monthly magazine.
Robert Boston is the author of three books: Close Encounters With the Religious Right: Journeys Into the Twilight Zone of Religion and Politics (Prometheus Books, 2000); The Most Dangerous Man in America? Pat Robertson and the Rise of the Christian Coalition (Prometheus Books, 1996); and Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church and State (Prometheus Books, 1993 and 2003). Representing AU, he has appeared on many national television news programs.
Social Hour and Lunch - 12:30 p.m. - Social Hall
Afternoon Activities
2:00 p.m. - Social Hall, lower level
Teen Ethical Leadership Program. For more
4:00 p.m. - Ceremonial Hall, 4th floor
Tenth Annual Benefit Concert. For more
Video of today's event: October 19, 2008
Boston - In Defense of the Secular State
Tenth Annual Benefit Concert
Sunday, October 19
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Ceremonial Hall - 4th floor
Students and senior citizens: $10. Suggested donation: $15. At the door: $20.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Moe-Swe Myint at 212-874-5210 x113; Contact Ruth Cohen to help to cosponsor refreshments for the concert.
