Scarsdale Grad Advocates for Free Speech
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Eric ThurmSHS grad Eric Thurm is working at an organization that’s near and dear to our hearts. It is called Free Press – not to be confused with “The Free Press” founded by Bari Weiss.
Free Press was founded in 2003 to protect free speech and press freedom, fight hate and misinformation, achieve affordable internet access for all, and advance racial equity in media.
How to achieve these goals?
We asked Thurm to tell us about himself and to explain the work of the Free Press and his role at the organization.
Here is what he shared:
I graduated SHS in 2010 and did undergrad at the University of Chicago. For several years after graduating, I worked as a critic and journalist, writing about TV, film, books, and internet culture for outlets like Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Baffler, and GQ. At the same time, I founded and ran a literary-comedy hybrid event called Drunk TED Talks, which was exactly what it sounds like — comedians, MacArthur Genius Grant winners, academics, and more, talking about topics ranging from the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire to Carly Rae Jepsen. I also wrote a book about board games, which was published by NYU Press as part of the Avidly Reads series. For the past couple of years before starting at Free Press, I worked as a story editor on the Wondery podcast Scamfluencers and oversaw state and municipal legislative campaigns for the National Writers Union, including the passage of state laws in New York, California, and Illinois securing workplace protections for freelancers.
Free Press is a nonprofit that's been around since 2003, advocating for an improved and more just media. We're funded through a mix of grants from foundations and individual donors.
Our work covers several different issue areas like Net Neutrality, First Amendment protections and free speech, and combating consolidation across media. There are a number of different initiatives and projects within those areas, including several that I'm still learning about myself!
The National Writers Union, which I'm a member of and where I'd been coordinating state legislative campaigns, has collaborated with Free Press on a couple of different projects, so this was a very natural extension of that work.
My job title is "Civic Media Campaign Manager," which essentially means I support and execute efforts to get states to pass strong policy around local news and community information. Our goal is getting states to invest in local news—especially in communities that are in news deserts, or that have been historically underserved by media—as well as other ways for people to get crucial information.
This approach primarily takes after New Jersey's Civic Info Consortium, which has been able to provide millions of dollars in direct grants to newsrooms across the state while maintaining a strong firewall between elected officials and editorial decisions. NJCIC has been able to support more journalism focused on local government in New Jersey, local news in places like Atlantic City, and Spanish-language news for immigrant communities that often lack accessible news. Pennsylvania recently advanced a pair of bills out of committee that would create a similar state Civic Info Consortium and a fellowship program to support early and mid-career journalists, and we're working on campaigns in several other states. (Here's our press statement on the PA bills.)
If readers want to help support independent reporting, I would encourage them to get involved in our anti-censorship work! There are lots of opportunities for people to make their voices heard, whether that's by telling the FCC to stop engaging in political bullying or by supporting broader coalitions and events we're participating in … like this rally our co-chief executive recently spoke at with Jane Fonda.
Hitchcock Church Welcomes New Associate Pastor
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Chris Burton will join Hitchcock Church as Associate Pastor after Easter Sunday. Burton is a minister and artist who works to bring together people who may be surprised by what they have in common. Chris’ work emphasizes Jesus as the prime abolitionist who sets the captive free.
Born and educated in Brooklyn, Chris is a writer for himself and others. He is a proud Davidson alum. He received his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity degrees from Union Presbyterian Seminary, as well as a Master of Science in Education from St. John's University. He serves as an ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America, is a Social Justice Fellow for The Memorial Foundation, and serves on the board of You Got This, Kid! and Voices of Jubilee.
Chris was named “an innovator in ministry you should know” by the Presbyterian Outlook. He hosts a podcast about theology and culture called BaddestChaplain, another with Presbyterian Outlook called Theology and Hip-Hop, an inspirational series called Morning Meds, co-created an award-winning podcast about race, culture, and soul care called CrossStreets, as well as Invisible Strength Podcast. His preaching was featured on A Sermon For Every Sunday. He is a member of Style’s Top 40 under 40, an Obama Foundation Leader, and his speaking was featured in TEDx.
He is excited for this next chapter in his life as he moves to Greenacres with his wife, Brianna, and their two sons.
Cross Private Client Insurance Expands and Strengthens Commitment to Local and Responsive Customer Service
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Cross Private Client Insurance, a boutique personal insurance agency, is enhancing its service to successful individuals and families in New York through strategic growth and operational consolidation. The agency, known for offering a diverse array of property and casualty insurance solutions and delivering standout customer service with a family-owned touch, has unified its New York teams from Mamaroneck, Briarcliff, and Armonk into a single, integrated office in downtown Armonk. This move brings together the experience of its staff under one roof, working in concert with the prominent Scarsdale team that has been located in downtown Scarsdale for 55 years, and enables Cross Private Client to maintain its boutique, customer-first philosophy while efficiently serving affluent communities across the region.
The company’s recent expansion also includes welcoming Eifert French & Ketchum in Pelham into the Cross Insurance family. This addition further strengthens Cross Private Client’s local experience and presence in Westchester County. By streamlining its operations, the agency aims to enhance collaboration, share resources, and foster professional growth among staff, all in pursuit of the most efficient and enthusiastic environment for delivering superior service.
With premier offices in Scarsdale and Armonk, and now in Pelham, Cross Private Client is well positioned to help high-net-worth individuals and families in Westchester County explore insurance programs that are responsive to their complex needs.
What sets the agency apart is the ability to help find solutions. Cross Private Client NY has once again achieved Chubb’s Cornerstone Elite Agency Designation, marking it as a best-in-class agency for Chubb Personal Risk Services. Strong relationships with leading carriers—including Berkley One, Pure, Cincinnati, Travelers, Hanover, and AIG Private Client Select—enable the agency to advocate effectively for clients, especially during challenging times.
Community involvement remains a key pillar for Cross Private Client, with the team actively participating in local events and charitable activities throughout Westchester.
Cross Private Client Insurance’s ongoing growth underscores its dedication to quality and service. As the agency expands its reach throughout New York, it remains committed to upholding the high standards and customer attention that have defined its reputation.
Cross Insurance is the 19th largest broker in the US, with over 1,100 employees and 40 locations throughout the Northeast and Florida. Founded in 1954, this family owned and operated insurance agency strives to be the gold standard in private client insurance, providing smart solutions and caring individuals that are here to help with your insurance needs, wherever life takes you.
Commenting on the merger, Denise Koslowsky, Director of Cross Private Client NY said, ““For over 55 years, we’ve had the privilege of growing alongside our clients and their families providing not just insurance, but peace of mind. At Cross Private Client, we take the time to understand you, your lifestyle, and what matters most, so we can deliver tailored coverage with exceptional care. Whether you need a local insurance resource, have questions, need guidance, or are navigating a claim, we are here every step of the way.”
For more information or to discuss personal insurance needs, readers are encouraged to contact the Scarsdale office at 914-723-7100.
Fantasy Life: Westchester Natives Produce an Anxious Intergenerational Comedy
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How often does a feature film produced by a Scarsdale grad and written, directed and starring a Larchmont native hit the big screen?
Sound intriguing? We had the chance to get a sneak peak at “Fantasy Life” at the Movie Club at the Emelin Theater last week, just before it will be featured at the Jacob Burns Jewish Film Center on March 25 and debut at the Angelika Film Center in Soho on March 27, 2026.
Local residents will find much to relate to in both the story and the scenery. What’s it about? Here’s the story in brief:
An anxious law school dropout (Matthew Shear) stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters and falls for the girls' mother (Amanda Peet), an actress in a rocky marriage. It’s a smart, New York set romantic comedy co- starring Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, and Holland Taylor.
Matthew Shear explains the inspiration for his story: “Fantasy Life is a New York comedy that was conceived from my years working as a “manny” for Manhattan families while I navigated mental health problems.
“My character, Sam, and the kids’ mom (whom he pines for), Dianne, played by Amanda Peet, both have chronic mood disorders. To describe these characters, I drew on my history with depression and anxiety as honestly as possible; and I was eager to challenge the mental health narratives that always get on my nerves (namely hyper- tragic stories tackling suicide or hospitalization or the Joker). I sought to find drama in the more personal, everyday comic aspects of living with a mental illness. While Sam is loosely based on me, Dianne’s struggles are very different from my own. She’s an independently wealthy mother of three girls. Her husband (Alessandro Nivola) is off on a big world tour just as her acting career has halted. She’s not working, but she’s also not doing the bulk of the child care. I became fascinated by the vulnerability of her languishing career, her wealth, her mothering. Dianne’s world became an engrossing foil for Sam’s millennial burnout for me; and when a romantic spark emerged, their shared isolation revealed a funny, awkward and useful refuge for them both.”
“Also, Dianne’s family her husband, kids, and their grandparents comprise an inter generational cast of Jewish New Yorkers (ages 6- 89) who complicate Dianne and Sam’s relationship at every turn. This extended family includes some true masters of film comedy like Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, and Judd Hirsch. Their warm, effortless performances bring out a cultural rhythm and wise comic edge that is eerily, and touchingly, my own family’s special hysteria.”
Scarsdale’s Charlie Alderman, is an independent producer and partner in a production company. He grew up in Quaker Ridge and graduated from Scarsdale High School in 2007 and is one of five producers of the film.
How did he get involved with the venture?
Alderman said, “I was lucky enough to read Matt's script in a normal boring way, as a submission from his agent, but it leapt out of the pile. It's about a Jewish extended family and a sweet, slightly schlubby guy who babysits for them and falls for the mom, played by Amanda Peet. it feels refreshingly honest and funny. “
“Everybody in the movie has a therapist, or is a therapist... or needs a therapist. But nobody is too miserable. They're just a little anxious and looking for connection. It feels really nice to watch the movie and laugh about that together.”
And did he know Matt from his Westchester days? Alderman said, “Matt is from Larchmont. We didn't know each other as kids. But we share from our upbringing are memories of academic pressure and Walter's hot dogs.”
Any local references in the film? Alderman said, “The movie takes place in the city and on Martha's Vineyard, but there's an early shout out to the New Rochelle Racquet Club. If you know, you know.”
See “Fantasy Life” and a Q&A with Matthew Shear at the Jacob Burns Jewish Film Center on Wednesday March 25 or Friday April 3 at 7 pm. Purchase your tickets here:
Students Explore the Creative Process at Young Writers Workshop
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Michael NorthropMichael Northrop knows how to command a room – even an auditorium filled with squirming eight, nine and ten year olds. Speaking at the opening of the Young Writers Workshop on Saturday March 7, Northrop, who also has experience as a stand up comedian, told the kids that as a child he was dyslexic and had to repeat second grade. He learned to read by reading poems which have fewer words per page and were easier to master.
Writing seems like an unlikely choice of career for someone with reading challenges but Northrop’s books have sold more than one million copies, and he has spanned genres from YA classics like Trapped, to four graphic novels, including the best-selling “Dear Justice League.” Next, he told me, he his coming out with a “cozy adult mystery” – nothing too sordid!
He gave an animated presentation explaining the elements of a story line, from the “what, why, where, when and how” to the “would and could” to create a plot. explained how he works with an illustrator in Brazil to produce his graphic novels and had everyone in the room entertained.
Northrop gave the students great tips to begin the creative process before they participated in two workshops with authors, artists, songwriters, poets, video game designers and comic creators.
En route to my class I met local teacher and author Laura Bower who was also leading a worshop. Check out her books, The Imposter and Emily Snook, The World's Smallest Cook. I also saw Scarsdale historian Jordan Copeland who taught a workshop in songwriting.
I was fortunate to be invited to host a workshop on writing news stories, called, “Breaking News, You’re the Editor.”
I learned about what’s really going on in school from two groups of elementary school kids who were wonderfully expressive.
They drafted stories and opinion pieces about school happenings that would make a great issues of Scarsdale10583.com.
I had not heard about the “Valentines Dance Disaster” at Edgewood, or the “hold in place” order at Quaker Ridge after a pack of coyotes on the grounds made it too dangerous to leave the school. Beyond news, kids had opinions too. Why, asked one girl, could she not get up from the table during lunchtime to speak to her friends in other classes? And why wondered another, could she not stand up during lunch time at all? What if her foot fell asleep? Another young man had opinions about Reveal Math and a young lady felt that the hot lunch program could be improved after they found some creepy crawlers in the food harvested from the school garden. Still another objected to a read-a-thon at Greenacres that requires students to find sponsors to underwrite reading time, with the proceeds going to the school.
Sharon Chesler and student volunteers
No one was at a loss to say what they believed, and many of the kids demonstrated strong writing skills which are a testament to their teachers.
I am not sure if I had more fun than they did, but overall the event was a big success, thanks to the parent organizers Alicia Bowman Sharon Chesler, Heedan Chung, Danae Farkas and Lena Wang and the presenters who hosted the workshops.
See below!
