Our dialog series provides a forum for intellectual pursuit and rational thought as integral to our spiritual journeys at UUCMC. Dialogs are planned on the first and third Sundays of the month at 9 am. Coffee, tea etc. will be served. Please feel free to bring a brown bag breakfast and something to share.

We welcome suggestions for speakers and topics. Please email uucmc@uucmc.org.

April 7, 2024 

Children of Holocaust Survivors: We Speak for Them
Dr. Fran Levin and Ms. Sandy Rosen

Dr. Levin and Ms Rosen are Chair and Co-chair, respectively of 2GNJ, an organization committed to advancing awareness of the Holocaust and the legacy of hate and bigotry underlying the horrors endured by so many. They will discuss the power of education to bring about the collective change they believe is needed to counter growing antisemitism and intolerance of diversity in others. Through education comes tolerance and respect.

As survivors, both Dr .Levin and Ms Rosen’s parents were the eyewitnesses to the results of hatred and bigotry underlying the Holocaust. But the impact could not help but be passed to the next generation along with the stories of lived experience in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. Dr. Levin holds a doctorate in Learning and Teaching from Rutgers. She was a college professor for 24 years teaching social justice and education. She is working to to promote a mandate to teach about the Holocaust in NJ schools. Ms. Levin holds a BS in Education and an MS in Special Education. She is retired from a long career in Special Education serving in many capacities including District Coordinator of Special education. See: www.ushmm.org; The Path to Nazi Genocide – YouTube; Night by E. Weisel; What was the holocaust? by Gail Herman.

April 14, 2024 

Music Reading 102!
Elaine Held, Music Director Emerita

I will review what I taught at the dialog in September, Music Reading 101, and answer any lingering questions you may have, then move on to more facets of music reading and music singing. I will present and use music from our own hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition, for examples you would encounter in a Sunday morning service. I’ll also have a handy hand-out.

Elaine Held has Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Westminster Choir College, Princeton. She has been a piano, organ, and voice teacher, as well as a choir director her whole career. Although she is retired, she still keeps busy playing the piano or organ, and directing Sister Singers and the Cedar Village Chorus.