My talk will cover my life story against the background of Israel and Zionism as it pertains to American Jews. I will discuss my family history of Nazi victimization and how I came to see Palestine as a conjoint victim of the Jewish ethnonationalist nation … read more.
Spotlight on our Speakers
Our contracted Minister, Rev. Diane Diachishin graduated and was ordained by All Faiths Seminary in NYC in 2022. She taught music for 30+ years in private and public-school systems. She has been an active member of the UUCRT for 25 years, wearing many hats. Diane has been Chair of Pastoral Care, served as VP and Secretary to the Board, and Chair of Sunday Service Ministry.
She facilitated the study and practice of Compassionate Communication for several years and currently facilitates the monthly Soul Matters group. Diane considers herself a life-long Unitarian. From the age of four, summer vacations were spent with her family and her Star Island community, at an ongoing retreat for UU’s of all ages, which still continues to be a source of renewal and inspiration for her. Diane is passionate about her family, playing music, hiking, and travel.
Mark Hammel, Ph.D. was born in the USA in 1948. He grew up in Philadelphia where he received an excellent public education. He also received a parallel secular Jewish education. At age 11 he became a member of Habonim, a Labor Zionist youth movement which indoctrinated him in an ideology that the only path to self-fulfillment as a Jew was to immigrate to Israel and live on a kibbutz. At age twenty he did just that. He is a veteran of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and of the occupation of Palestine. At age thirty he returned to the US and pursued a career in psychology. He practiced for most of his career in Kingston NY and retired in 2024.
Richard Otterness has discovered since retiring in 2018 that new friendships can be elusive and difficult to form sometimes, once old networks change or no longer fit. Committed to ecumenical partnerships, his work as pastor, administrator, and mission work focusing on stereotypes, racism, and youth leadership development has always been based on the premise that relationships preceded and must be maintained through the development of projects and programs. His personal interests have included wood carving, playing with grandchildren, and traveling world-wide.
Hollis Kellogg joined the UUCRT in 1997. Since he was a pianist, he was immediately recruited to help with music. He loves to perform music he loves and also loves to talk. He has stayed with UUCRT through years of great change and hopes to continue serving with music and presentations. Since 1997, he has given a variety of talks- new beginnings, Emerson, transcending differences, ethical eating, gun violence, and other issues. He is a retired Occupational Therapist, and lives alone with his cat, Merlin.
