Join us for a special author talk with David Felsen, co-hosted by the Ethical Culture Society and the Community Coalition on Race. In New York City Monuments of Black Americans: A History and Guide, Felsen uncovers the powerful and often overlooked stories behind thirty monuments honoring Black Americans—from Booker T. Washington to Harriet Tubman—and explores the long struggle for recognition in the city’s public spaces. As we continue our 2026 theme, “Do Not Erase Our History,” this timely conversation invites us to reflect on whose stories are commemorated, whose are excluded, and how public memory shapes our collective understanding of justice and belonging.

Join the National Council of Jewish Women of Essex County for a timely and informative Lunch and Learn featuring Gary Darden, a history professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His talk will cover numerous contentious times in our nation’s immigration history, and we will explore the question of how this time is – or is not – different than what history has shown us. We will also discuss ways to take action with Rabbi Anne Laurent, a Jewish chaplain has offered spiritual care in New Jersey hospitals for a decade. Rabbi Laurent will share her experiences bearing witness to the struggles of immigrants and their families at Delaney Hall in Newark. The registration link is here. $40 Members/$45 Non-Members (includes lunch).  South Orange (exact location provided following registration)

The Community Coalition on Race, in partnership with HS1 Arts & Education, invites community members to participate in “Tapestries: Stories In All Hues: poetry reading and civic workshops” a two-part creative workshop led by Maplewood artist and educator Heru Stewart (Ras Heru). Through a fusion of poetry, visual art, guided writing, and discussion, participants will explore artistic expression as both a personal and civic act. These sessions invite reflection on history, identity, and community while affirming the role of art in responding to injustice and resisting cultural erasure. No prior writing or art experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore!

Join us for a celebration in your honor. Bring a friend, partner, or anyone interested in learning more about our work!

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring question about the future of justice and democracy, this year’s Conversations on Race program will ask a timely question: Where do we go from here—and why does it matter now? Hosted at Seton Hall University, this year’s conversation will explore how historical cycles--from slavery and Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement, and the struggle for equality--continue to shape our present moment. The discussion will consider how communities can respond to rising racism, political polarization, and the influence of social media and misinformation. The evening will conclude with a call to action, offering participants practical ways to stay engaged—from advocacy and community dialogue to everyday acts that help defend truth, inclusion, and justice. RSVP here today.