Time to Make the Matzo Ball Soup

And Now It’s Time to Make the Matzo Ball Soup
It seems that the First Quarter of my Presidential Year of 2010 sped quickly by. There always seems like there’s so much to do, and so much I’d like to accomplish! I am really excited about what’s gone on so far this year, and this past week was another inspiring one for Alpha Omega.
Last Sunday, I drove down to the Philadelphia area, where Marc and Bobbie Rothman hosted a terrific gathering, where we had the opportunity to meet, talk to, and listen to the Dean of the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, Dr. Amid Ismail. Amid is a warm, endearing and charming man, who is inspiring in both his plans for the Kornberg School of Dentistry, as well as his involvement with the Bridge to Peace Program. The Bridge to Peace Program, the vision of the inimitable D. Walter Cohen, is an effort to unite people through creating “bridges to peace” via people of varying backgrounds and faiths uniting for the betterment of mankind. Hebrew U and Al-Quds U school of Dentistry, the first Palestinian Dental School had a historic summit/conference to “Bridge the Peace”.
I was inspired by the stories of so many of the attendees that I have simply chosen a few to cite as examples: Ethel Abrams is a Hygienist whose late husband was active in AO; Seth Baer, who joined Jordan Goldberg’s practice when he graduated in 1999 as an Associate, and is now Jordan’s partner; Jordan Goldberg, who has been active in Alpha Omega since graduating in 1985, and attends almost every International Convention with his wife Judy, and has been a Convention Treasurer at two International Conventions (Jordan always seems to have a smile on his face!); Eric Cantor, there will his sons, is an inspiring example of local Leadership with true leadership and energy (Eric is working very hard as President of the Philadelphia chapter); Joseph Greenberg, an inspiring man who teaches at both Kornberg and U.Penn; Harold Middleberg, who graduated a year after Jordan and served as Chapter Treasurer when Jordan was Chapter President (Jordan and Harold always stood on the outer ends of any group picture because they are SO much taller than most of us!); and Bernie Dishler, a 1962 graduate, who made the very important point that AO alumni should make a point of meeting and mentoring AO students, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because at some point, as a dentist wants to find someone to take over his practice, those AO relationships will really be important! It was great to see the always inspiring and fascinating Allen and Danielle Finkelstein, who traveled down from New York City because The Bridge To Peace Program and Alpha Omega are so important to Allen. Reuniting and having the chance to speak to and gain insights from the “our AO sage” D. Walter Cohen is always inspiring! This is just a sampling of the fabulous group of individuals who spent a few hours on a Sunday, because they wanted to learn more, and get involved. Congratulations to the Philadelphia alumni Chapter, and the great staff at Kornberg for planning a terrific program! I look forward to some great things in the future in a newly created “partnership of purpose,” between Alpha Omega and Kornberg (and Amid Ismail).
This past Tuesday, over sixty fraters signed up for our first alumni webinar, providing an insight into some exciting new AO developments and offerings by Schein, both for individuals and for local chapters. I hope that those on the call will communicate the information to others in their local area. I especially want to thank Schein’s Michelle Penrose, and their Director of North American Dental Sales and Leadership Jim Philhower, for all their efforts and commitment toward a stronger relationship between AO and Schein. Because of the wonders of the electronic media,we got immediate positive feedback. They are working to assure that Schein Canada extends the same benefits program in Canada that is being planned for the U.S., so that fraters from both countries will benefit from these “soon to be announced” member benefits!
The Administrative Committee has been working very diligently to assure that the transition to our new management team, Third Eye Group, is as smooth and seamless as possible. Each Admin member has been evaluating their existing written job descriptions, and revising them so that they are more relevant to AO today. Each Admin member has also been creating a list of where the Management company will be able to best assist them in their AO position.
Our Executive Director Marty Zimmerman has been working closely with International President- Elect Michael Tenenbaum, to assure that the upcoming Leadership Seminar in Seattle is a true leadership summit. Make sure you attend this powerful program,check it out on AO.org. International Treasurer David Schneider has been working diligently, not only on the multiple tasks of his office, but also working closely with Convention Rep Avi Wurman, and Convention Marshal Bob Simon, and others, to bring convention goers a value-packed, CE loaded, events driven, fabulous week of fraternalism, professionalism and Judaic values. I urge you to seriously consider attending this convention this year. San Diego is calling you ,so attend Dec 25-Jan1. You’ll be glad you did!
I want to wish all of you a “Zizen Pesach.” Now, it’s time for me to sign off because, “It’s time to make the Matzo Ball Soup.”







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