Rick Jarow, PhD, was a professor of religious studies at Vassar College for many years. He also taught scores of workshops at the Open Center on finding one’s true vocation and on the deeper spiritual truths underlying the world. He was an author of both scholarly and popular books, was deeply versed in the sacred texts of India and was fully committed to the continuation of holistic learning in New York City. He was also a person of great warmth and charm whose gifted mind was beautifully balanced by his open and giving heart. Rick died recently in his beloved India after climbing a sacred mountain. Before he left us, he became one of the first supporters of the New Center, making significant a contribution for which we are deeply grateful.

Linda M. Kirk arrived in Manhattan after college in the Midwest, and segued from a career teaching literature and writing to the business world of real estate. With non-profit spiritual work an avocational interest, she became an early supporter of the NY Open Center and found its original 83 Spring Street location. A former board member of The Temple of Understanding, she is currently trustee for a portfolio of properties, and eager to see The New Center for Holistic Learning NY flourish at a time when its mission is ever more important to our world.

Scarlett Pildes was born in Kansas and has lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York City and New Jersey. She first moved to New York to study acting, but changed direction to have two children and two grandchildren. She set out, like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, to explore the world and has traveled to nearly 50 countries. A long-time participant in the Esoteric Quest conferences and journeys, her first Quest was to Iceland, where she had a profound experience of the soul of place. She has since joined the Quest in Scotland, Bulgaria, Peru and Portugal, and is eternally grateful for the wisdom, cultural history and camaraderie of these experiences. She looks forward to following the “yellow brick road” wherever it may lead!