As we conclude our High Holidays, and have searched our souls, repented our past, and sought to be better and more personally fulfilled for the coming year, I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a year of health, happiness, success, and personal enrichment.
As soon as the Shofar was sounded, indicated the conclusion of Yom Kippur, I realized that I would be spending my next few days busy with my responsibilities as Alpha Omega’s International President, not the bagel slicer at the break fast. Very early Sunday morning, I departed on my Jet Blue flight out of JFK International Airport, for my flight to Buffalo. My plan was to visit with my Northern friends, spending Sunday and Monday with the Toronto and Pi chapters, and Tuesday with the Buffalo alumni and undergraduate chapters, before flying back Wednesday morning, to spend time with my patients back in my office on Wednesday afternoon.
However, before I tell you about my wonderful visits with these great Alpha Omega areas, I want to bring you up to date about the “rest of the story” - - that is, what occurred as a result of our involvement with the California Dental Association. The American Dental Association and its officers immediately responded, and indicated their understanding of our concerns. In fact, the ADA requested to be included on the Blog notification list and was very interested in our social media activities and our communication efforts. They want to learn from us. The ADA will be having a committee this year examining ways to enhance both their own, as well as component societies sensitivity to diversity and our concerns, as well as similar concerns by other ethnic and religious groups. On the other hand, after ten plus days, the California Dental Association President, Dr.Thomas H. Stewart, wrote that the “California Dental Association (CDA) deeply regrets the overlapping dates of Rosh Hashanah and the convention. The decision to move forward with the dates of our convention was not made lightly or without respect and understanding of its impact.” Dr. Stewart continued by saying that, “unfortunately, there was no alternative solution for the San Francisco meeting this year.” Dr. Stewart concludes his letter by stating that, “No other scheduled convention or conference dates coincide with any Jewish holidays. As future years schedules are planned, CDA’s priority will remain to avoid any such conflict and respect the observances and faiths of our many members.”
While I very much appreciate receiving the above letter, it shows the fact that often leaders of other organizations do not fully understand the significance of the High Holidays to most Jews. While I understand the difficulty in rescheduling, it is essential that we insist that non- Jewish leaders understand that we take insensitivity to our Jewish High Holidays as an insensitivity to our Jewish identity. While, unfortunately, we did not learn of this meeting until a very late date, I propose that we act to assure that these types of events and insensitivities do not occur in the future. I suggest that one of the duties of our newly refashioned Regents system, is that Regents, in coordination with our Headquarters Office communicate with the State Dental Societies, the various component dental societies, as well as the dental schools, etc., to explain our concerns in advance, and supply these groups with the upcoming Jewish calendars and a with a link to that information. In addition, I would suggest that the Regents create a format to coordinate their activities to assure that this never again occurs. If we do this successfully and vigilantly, something good, important and essential will happen as a result of this insensitive California situation.
After I drove across the Canadian Border, and was greeted and welcomed by the Boarder Officer, I proceeded to my hotel. I settled in and the Toronto Chapter’s President- Elect Elliott Weidman picked me and drove me to have dinner and conversation with the officers of both the Toronto and Pi (University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry) chapters. We then went to an amazingly warm reception, hosted with grace by President Mel Kay and his wife Cookie in their lovely home. The hospitality and enlightening conversation gave me further insight into the workings of this great chapter, and I was able to observe why the Toronto chapter is, in fact, the largest Alpha Omega chapter. Because of the size, scope and efforts of the Toronto chapter, there is a concerted effort to have multi-faceted programming to appeal to members with different interests, concerns, age groups, etc. Their programming is extensive and exciting!
International Convention Representative Avi Wurman picked me up Monday morning and we were able to have an in-depth discussion on various alternatives he is looking at for the 2013 Convention. Our 2010 Convention, of course, is in San Diego, the 2011 in Ft. Lauderdale, and in 2012 we will be in Scottsdale,AZ. Another reason to attend the San Diego Convention this December to have an opportunity to voice your opinion on where future Conventions should be held. Of course, Bob Simon and his committee have created a Convention program with great CE, fabulous events, great functions, a terrific hotel room rate, etc., so you should be there anyway. Please go to the Convention Web site at: http://aosunnydays.ao.org to see all the great details, and for registration information. You do not want to miss a minute of this great week…so register NOW!
Avi and I then went to the University Of Toronto Faculty Of Dentistry, and we met with Dean David Mock. David is a member of our Toronto chapter, and is serving his second consecutive full term as Dean. Serving more than one term is rare, but David agreed to help oversee a proposed upgrading of the dental facility. I spent lunch meeting with all classes of Pi chapter, and welcoming them, and congratulating them both on choosing dentistry, as well as choosing Alpha Omega. We had a good exchange of ideas, and I encouraged the students to learn the big picture beyond just being a student. Pi Chapter President, a second generation AO, Sari Hershenfield and her committee made me feel most welcomed. He dad, Ken Hershenfield is proud of her, as are all the Toronto AO’s. There were several multi generational AO Families, including the Kays, Pearlmutters,Chapnicks,Glick,Laski to name a very few. The Pi Chapter advisor, Brian Laski, won a very prestigious Orthodontic award at U of T this year and is an outstanding mentor. I had the opportunity to see and visit the AO Toronto’s building (house) and got a little tour of Toronto, before being taken to the Reception and Dinner meeting at a local synagogue. It was a wonderful feeling spending time and sharing ideas with over 250 members of my AO family! I got to see many old friends and make many new AO Friends in Toronto!
I left early Tuesday morning to drive back to Buffalo, to continue my visitation with their chapters. More about these great Alpha Omegas in next week’s blog. I did not want this blog to be too long and I did not want you ,all, to miss a minute of my great excursion to Buffalo. So we will shuffle back to Buffalo in next weeks’ blog.
I urge you all to remember two great upcoming events: Steve Anderson and the Leadership Seminar in Boston in Oct 15-17. Check out ao.org for details, or e-mail Michael Tenenbaum at: tenedent@aol.com. Of course, then the , next event is the year-end finale- the AO Convention from December 25- Jan 1. Go to http://aosunnydays,ao.org for details.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
AO- As Relevant As Ever!
As we approach the High Holidays, it is important for all of us to appreciate how relevant Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity remains, even after more than 100 years. This past week I received information from a concerned California frater. The California Dental Association (CDA) had scheduled their semi-annual meeting in San Francisco, from September 9th- 11th. The CDA, and on its own website, had an apology posted. They stated that it was done because there was no other scheduling option. As we are all aware, there is always another option, and the Admin Committee felt that Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity should go “on the record” objecting to this insensitivity, with the hope to avoid similar insensitivities in the future. These types of insensitivities have occurred elsewhere through the years, and I am very proud of the fact that Alpha Omega has always “stood up” and objected. The following is the content of the letter sent to the President and President-Elect of the CDA:
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Thomas H. Stewart, DDS, President & Andrew Soderstrom, DDS, President-Elect
CDA
1201 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Doctors Stewart and Soderstrom:
It has brought to my attention that you are holding your semi-annual meeting in San Francisco on September 9-11. As you are undoubtedly aware, these dates are in direct conflict with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, one of the holiest of the Jewish High Holidays. Based on your posting on your website, you apologize for this, but claim that there was basically no option because of such items as scheduling, etc. While scheduling often causes obstacles, more sensitivity would require that you make far more of an effort not to hold meetings on Jewish High Holidays. Since there are over one million Jews residing in California, representing approximately 3.5% of the state’s population, and the percentage of Jewish dentists in the state is a higher percentage than that, it is certainly inappropriate to hold meetings that conflict with these dates. With the second largest Jewish population in the United States, I hope you realize how this can be viewed as insensitive, at the very least. How would others feel if your program conflicted with other important holidays? You certainly would not consider holding this type of event in conflict with those holidays. We run numerous meetings, and holiday calendars are available years in advance. There are always alternative dates when a meeting can be held with a little more effort. Since I have been informed that this meeting is largely subsidized by members’ dues to CDA, you have effectively precluded a significant part of your membership from being able to take advantage of attending this meeting, and taking CE courses and receiving credits that others can!
Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity was founded over one hundred years ago, in 1907, to combat rampant anti-Semitism within dental education. We have over 6,000 members worldwide, have founded and funded two dental schools, and our Alpha Omega Foundation has provided millions of dollars in supported for scientific and healthcare programs worldwide. We hold our International Convention every year in December, and this year we are convening in San Diego. We have numerous members and chapters throughout California, and this insensitivity is certainly an affront to them. While I trust that your intent was innocent, and was simply a scheduling error, I request that in the future, you seriously consider consulting a calendar to assure that there are no more of these scheduling conflicts. I believe that it would be a considerate and caring thing for you to issue some sort of apology to your Jewish members to show you are sensitive to their needs. As you know, some of the most renowned dental practitioners, educators, etc., in California are Jewish, and I am sure you would like to let them know that you care about them and their needs. In the future, please feel free to contact Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity and request a holiday calendar, so as to avoid even the perception of insensitivity. In these times, with so many conflicts and disagreements between people, I am sure you agree with me that we must all work together to be much more attuned to each other’s sensitivities.
I look forward to hearing from you so that I can be assured that you recognize why we are so sensitive about this issue.
Yours truly,
Charlene S. Berkman, D.M.D.
Alpha Omega International President for 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Another important aspect of our fraternity is the “family” aspect, where we share life cycle events, both good and sad. This past week, PIP Barry Chapnick informed us of the passing of one of our Buffalo fraters. One of the events at every International Convention is our Memorial Service, where we honor the memories of our fraters who departed since the previous convention and the memory of the six million. Under the Chairmanship of Sam Unger, we will be holding our Memorial Service once again, this year at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego. Our Conventions are all about sharing - - sharing friendships, sharing knowledge, sharing joy and sharing the losses of loved ones. Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have organized a truly memorable week, and I highly recommend experiencing the unique AO experience by attending this year’s Convention.
The Alpha Omega Foundation also sells Tribute Cards, contact Gail Shupak (schupakdmd@aol.com) so that a charitable donation can be given in honor of the memory of a departed frater, or any other loved or cherished one. We all know the song, “We are family,” and indeed Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity is truly our international family!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Thomas H. Stewart, DDS, President & Andrew Soderstrom, DDS, President-Elect
CDA
1201 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Doctors Stewart and Soderstrom:
It has brought to my attention that you are holding your semi-annual meeting in San Francisco on September 9-11. As you are undoubtedly aware, these dates are in direct conflict with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, one of the holiest of the Jewish High Holidays. Based on your posting on your website, you apologize for this, but claim that there was basically no option because of such items as scheduling, etc. While scheduling often causes obstacles, more sensitivity would require that you make far more of an effort not to hold meetings on Jewish High Holidays. Since there are over one million Jews residing in California, representing approximately 3.5% of the state’s population, and the percentage of Jewish dentists in the state is a higher percentage than that, it is certainly inappropriate to hold meetings that conflict with these dates. With the second largest Jewish population in the United States, I hope you realize how this can be viewed as insensitive, at the very least. How would others feel if your program conflicted with other important holidays? You certainly would not consider holding this type of event in conflict with those holidays. We run numerous meetings, and holiday calendars are available years in advance. There are always alternative dates when a meeting can be held with a little more effort. Since I have been informed that this meeting is largely subsidized by members’ dues to CDA, you have effectively precluded a significant part of your membership from being able to take advantage of attending this meeting, and taking CE courses and receiving credits that others can!
Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity was founded over one hundred years ago, in 1907, to combat rampant anti-Semitism within dental education. We have over 6,000 members worldwide, have founded and funded two dental schools, and our Alpha Omega Foundation has provided millions of dollars in supported for scientific and healthcare programs worldwide. We hold our International Convention every year in December, and this year we are convening in San Diego. We have numerous members and chapters throughout California, and this insensitivity is certainly an affront to them. While I trust that your intent was innocent, and was simply a scheduling error, I request that in the future, you seriously consider consulting a calendar to assure that there are no more of these scheduling conflicts. I believe that it would be a considerate and caring thing for you to issue some sort of apology to your Jewish members to show you are sensitive to their needs. As you know, some of the most renowned dental practitioners, educators, etc., in California are Jewish, and I am sure you would like to let them know that you care about them and their needs. In the future, please feel free to contact Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity and request a holiday calendar, so as to avoid even the perception of insensitivity. In these times, with so many conflicts and disagreements between people, I am sure you agree with me that we must all work together to be much more attuned to each other’s sensitivities.
I look forward to hearing from you so that I can be assured that you recognize why we are so sensitive about this issue.
Yours truly,
Charlene S. Berkman, D.M.D.
Alpha Omega International President for 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Another important aspect of our fraternity is the “family” aspect, where we share life cycle events, both good and sad. This past week, PIP Barry Chapnick informed us of the passing of one of our Buffalo fraters. One of the events at every International Convention is our Memorial Service, where we honor the memories of our fraters who departed since the previous convention and the memory of the six million. Under the Chairmanship of Sam Unger, we will be holding our Memorial Service once again, this year at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego. Our Conventions are all about sharing - - sharing friendships, sharing knowledge, sharing joy and sharing the losses of loved ones. Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have organized a truly memorable week, and I highly recommend experiencing the unique AO experience by attending this year’s Convention.
The Alpha Omega Foundation also sells Tribute Cards, contact Gail Shupak (schupakdmd@aol.com) so that a charitable donation can be given in honor of the memory of a departed frater, or any other loved or cherished one. We all know the song, “We are family,” and indeed Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity is truly our international family!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
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