Joseph Ben-David, a Unitarian Humanist, independent thinker, energetic public speaker, and tireless social activist was celebrated by colleagues, friends, and family members. The memorial service was held at the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York (CPW at West 76th St) on May 20, 2023.

This recording concludes with a photo remembrance slideshow. A biographical chronology of Joseph’s life is at https://www.churchofhumanism.org/inde.

Joseph Ben-David Memorial

Prelude: click here

Welcome from Rev. Cynthia Powell: click here

Eulogy from Rev. Darrell Berger: click here

The Beginnings from Alyson Ben-David: click here

Hymn, Mother Spirit, Father Spirit: click here

Remembrances from Family and Colleagues: click here

Refugees of Nazism: click here

Mid-East Peace: click here

His Commitment to Social Justice from Rev. Jill Bowden: click here

How I Became a Humanist: click here

His Immersion in Organized American Humanism: click here

His Return to Prague, and a Note about Joseph and His Father:click here

Restoring the Prague Unitaria to the Czechs, with collaborator Ivana Edwards:click here

A Commemoration of Joseph from Iva Fiserova:click here

Additional Reflections:click here

Dr. Stanley Krippner:click here

Debbie Joffe Ellis:click here

Carmine Vacirca:click here

James Cusick:click here

Alyson Ben-David:click here

Flower Blessing:click here

Hymn, Ode to Joy:click here

Postlude, The Humoresque:click here

A Closing Toast:click here

Commemorative Photo Slideshow:click here

In Remembrance ...

Joseph Ben-David, since 1966 an activist and leader of the Humanist movement on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2020, at the age of 100.  Over the course of a long career, he attracted large numbers of followers with his teachings on humanist psychology, philosophy, and spiritual identity. A highly motivated public speaker and educator, he helped his followers interact on a foundation of reason, mutual understanding, and self-actualization.

Read...

About the Church of Humanism Founder Joseph Ben-David

An Interview: The Future of the Czech Unitarian Society

Read

Joe Ben-David, Unitarian Humanist & Social Activist

Read

A Tribute - Winifred Latimer Norman Award

Read

For more information, visit our Contact Us page and send us a quick note with your contact information.

caution sign Please note!

Dear Reader,

None of the materials, books, essays or lectures should be read or accepted uncritically, nor should any one of them be considered an authoritative and dogmatically binding thesis representing a humanist doctrine. We do not want "followers"; or "true believers"; but freethinking partners in a great spiritual enterprise.