Board of directors meeting minutes and agenda, November 30, 1994

JEWISH FEDERATION OF LAS VEGAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES NOVEMBER 30, 1994 PRESENT ABSENT Dr. Allan Boruszak Daryl Alterwitz Brian Berman Amy Boruszak Michael Cherry David Dahan Melanie Greenberg Edythe Katz Marty Loeb Sandy Mallin Emily Novick Michael Novick David Ober Hal Ober Irene Perer Dr. Neville Pokroy Milton I. Schwartz Leslie Simon Marta Sorkin Dennis Stein Deanne Stralser Doug Unger Gary Zimmerman Sheldon Adelson Rabbi Sanford Akselrad A1 Benedict Shelley Berkley Ron Cook Dorothy Eisenberg Philip Engel Mark Fine Judy Frank Elaine Galatz Gene Greenberg Danny Greenspun David Gross Rick Hollander Eva Kallick Gregory Kamer Ron Kirsh Dr. Marvin Perer Arne Rosencrantz Lenard Schwartzer Jerry Turk Dr. Harris Waters REPS GUESTS Jonathan Levenson STAFF Ronni Epstein Tony Figueredo Ted Flaum Sharon Heiman Suzan Loeb Phil Cavel Vicki Katz Randi Levin Lauren Lipshitz Dr. Jeffrey Lipshitz I. WELCOME AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Dr. Allan Boruszak welcomed everyone to the November Board Meeting. He asked for a motion to accept the October 26, 1994 Minutes as corrected. Hal Ober's name was inadvertently omitted from the attendance. Mike Novick moved to accept the October 26, 1994 Minutes as corrected. Doug Unger seconded and the motion carried. 1 I. ANNOUNCEMENTS Allan said this was the fourth night of Chanukah and asked three students from the Jewish Student Union to light the fourth Chanukah candle. Allan said there was an article attached to everyone's Agenda which appeared in this month's Money magazine about United Jewish Appeal being the #1 charity in terms of its efficiency and total dollars going toward its actual cause. With the controversy this past year, with United Way, it is important for our donors to appreciate the credibility of our national organizations. Allan congratulated Dr. Marv Perer on his appointment to the Steering Committee of the United Jewish Appeal Western Region Maimonides Society. Allan wished a hearty Mozel Tov to Edythe Katz and Judge Gil Yarchyever on their recent marriage, wishing them a long life of health and happiness. Allan announced Ira Fischbein has resigned his position as Treasurer of the Federation due to ill health. He wished him a speedy recovery. An announcement will be made shortly as to who will serve as his replacement. Allan introduced Marc Fineman, the new Director of Public Relations and Editor of the Jewish Reporter. The changes being made in the newspaper are being well received. He encouraged everyone to take a portion of their 1995 Advertising Budget to advertise in the Jewish Reporter. III. UNLV STUDENT PRESENTATIONS Allan said the Jewish Student Union has been revitalized this year, and is doing an excellent job reaching Jewish students on the UNLV campus. This past summer two students attended the United Jewish Appeal Summer Singles Mission, and four students attended the United Jewish Appeal Student Conference in Chicago. The Federation provided subsidies for all the students to make it possible for them to attend. Allan asked Lauren Lipshitz who went to Israel on the Singles Mission to discuss her trip. Lauren said originally she and her traveling companion, Nurite Pokroy, were going to backpack through Israel. Their fathers, Dr. Pokroy and Dr. Jeffrey Lipshitz, and Ronni Epstein encouraged them to travel with a group so they would have more opportunities made available to them. Lauren said she and Nurite were very pleased to go on the Summer Singles Mission and they were able to see and do much more and than if they had traveled alone. She thanked the Federation for making it possible for her to join the Mission. 2 Allan thanked Lauren for her presentation. He asked Phil Cavel, Vicki Katz and Randi Levin to give a brief presentation on the Chicago United Jewish Appeal Student Conference, and their plans for the Campus Campaign. Phil, as spokesperson, said the new professional for the Jewish Student Union, Shelly Katz, would begin work on December 1st, and the programming of the Campus Campaign would be started soon. Phil said the Chicago Student Conference was very exciting and they did role playing and learned about allocations, endowments and many more functions of the Federation. They realized they were the future leaders of the Federation, and the importance for them to be knowledgeable of the needs of the Jewish community. Allan thanked the students for their report, and said the Federation looks forward to their future leadership in our community and the communities in which they will live. IV. CAMPAIGN REPORT Allan called on Mike Novick to present the Campaign Report. Mike said the Campaign Cabinet met on November 10th. The Division chairs are meeting with their committees to do ratings and matchings the solicitors to their cards. Mike said Divisions are behind where they were last year in terms of assignments and solicitations. The workers who have been assigned cards will begin making appointments with their prospects this week. Mike thanked Allan and Ronni for tonight's training program, and said that Melanie Greenberg is chairing Training and intended to have other training sessions. The next Campaign Cabinet meeting is scheduled for January 11, 1995 with Dr. Rueven Kimmelman from CLAL as the guest speaker. Mike congratulated Dennis Stein for his work as Chair of the B&P Division. He said the next B&P Luncheon is scheduled for January 9, 1995 at the Golden Nugget featuring Jerry Turk and Donald Snyder, who is the CEO of the Fremont Street Experience, as the guest speaker. Mike announced the Maimonides Society had a new member. Mike said to date, 50 pledges have been made totaling $118,600 reflecting an increase of almost $23,000 from the same cards as last year or a 27% card-for-card increase. The general campaign has 22 pledges for $59,000 for a 10% card-for-card increase. Allan thanked Mike for his report. 3 V. WOMEN'S DIVISION REPORT Allan called on Emily Novick to give the Women's Division Campaign Report. Emily said that of the $118,600 of pledges made in Campaign 1995, the Women's Division has raised $58,300 reflecting a card-for-card increase of 39%. Two weeks ago the Women's Division Board went to Phoenix for their Board Retreat. They visited the Plotkin Judaica Museum after meeting with the representatives from the Phoenix Women's Division Board. They toured the Kivel Campus of Care - a multi-level facility for seniors. Leslie Simon's parents, Gerda and Kurt Klein, hosted a luncheon, at their home, prior to their Board Members' caucus where they had 100% participation. The Women's Division has a new ruby lion, Joan Zimmerman; and a new lion, Ronni Epstein. The Women's Division Board is to meet December 1st. Their cards have been rated and assigned and will be distributed at that time. Allan thanked Emily for her report, and called on Leslie Simon for a the Women's Division Report. Leslie said Emily had done a wonderful job on the Woman's Division Board Retreat and the 39% increase came from women who care. The Women's Division's final Coffee and Conversation will be in Summerlin, December 5th, at the home of JoAnn Oppenheimer. The Women's Division conducted an Education Day on November 6th at the Sheridan Desert Inn, co-chaired by Arlene Blut and Sandy Mallin. Life cycles and how women respond to them was the subject addressed by a panel of five local professional women from the community. Leslie said the Women's Division was in the process of securing speakers for the Lion, Pomegranate and Main Event Luncheons. Allan thanked Leslie for her report. VI. INVESTMENT POLICIES AND GUIDELINES Allan said members of the Board were asked to submit, in writing, suggested changes for the Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines that were presented by the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee received the information and revised the Guidelines accordingly. These revised Policies and Guidelines were then re-presented to the Executive Committee and were revised again and accepted in their revised form. Board members received a copy of these revised Policies and Guidelines where many of the recommended changes were included. Allan asked Ronni to review the changes in the Guidelines as no member of the Investment Committee was in attendance. Ronni said the Committee took each suggested policy change seriously and every suggestion was discussed thoroughly. The Committee members are Stan Ma11in, Henry Kronberg, Bill Berman, Ira Fischbein and Ron Cook. Dr. Neville Pokroy moved to accept the Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines that were presented by the Investment Committee. Mike Cherry seconded the motion. Milton said the Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines were very good. Brian Berman would like to have limits of more than 10% of the portfolio ever placed in one investment other than money market funds, certificates of deposit and Treasury Bills. At this time we do not have a large base in our endowments it should be kept at 10%. Mike Cherry said he felt it should pass as it is. Milton said that equities refers to stocks and actually bonds are not covered in the guideline at all. Mike Cherry moved to change equities to read "equities and bonds up to 40%." There was no second and the motion failed. Hal said the guideline should be passed as it stands with the recommendation that it be returned to the Investment Committee to change page 3, #4 in reference to bonds. Allan agreed with Hal's recommendation. The motion to accept the Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines that were presented by the Investment Committee carried. Allan thanked the Investment Committee for their many long hours of hard work in putting together the Guidelines. VII. MISSION SUBSIDIES FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Allan said each year the United Jewish Appeal has a University Mission to Israel. This year three students from UNLV have expressed an interest in participating in this program. The Mission has no minimum gift; however, students will be solicited on the trip. United Jewish Appeal subsidizes approximately $700 per student and communities are asked to subsidize as well. In the absence of a Mission Committee the Executive Committee discussed a policy regarding mission subsidies to both local and out-of-state students. The Executive Committee is recommending a policy where the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas would provide mission subsidies for students from the southern Nevada area. Students from out of the community would be asked to contact their home Federation for a subsidy; however, if there is no Federation then the Las Vegas Jewish Federation would give the subsidy. Any gift given on the mission will go to the community that gives the subsidy. Allan said that a home Federation's refusal to give a subsidy is not directed in this motion. No money is being allocated at this time, it is a policy issue only. 5 Hike Novick moved the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas provide mission subsidies for students from the southern Nevada area. Students from out of the community will be asked to contact their home Federation for a subsidy; however, if there is no Federation then the Las Vegas Jewish Federation will give the subsidy. Any gift given on the mission will go to the community that gives the subsidy. Milton I. Schwartz seconded the motion. The motion carried. VIII. COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT Allan called on Hal Ober to give a Community Relations Committee report. Hal said the CRC is comprised of very dedicated people who are working on finalizing the Committee's By-Laws. When the By-Laws are approved, by the Board, the CRC will begin expanding their membership, prioritizing the issues and be proactive rather than reactive as it is currently. Hal said the Committee is discussing appropriate action to take concerning the Lori Lipman Brown situation. Karen Galatz, Steve Cloobeck and Hal are meeting with Joyce Advertising to discuss a pamphlet which was distributed indicating Lori Lipman Brown was against prayer and refused to say the pledge of allegiance. Rene Feinstein is drafting a letter explaining the CRC's concern surrounding public prayer which will include a copy of guidelines prepared by the National Conference and adopted by the CRC concerning the need to be sensitive to all segments of the community when conducting public prayer. Karen Galatz is preparing a list of officials and organizations the letter should be sent to. Hal said it had been brought to the CRC*s attention that there were problems at Durango and Sawyer schools with regards to skinhead activities. Edythe Katz called together a group from the Jewish and general community to discuss the issue. The principals of both schools came and reported that though there were problems at the schools last year, the problems have dramatically decreased and the small core of students that were involved have either been transferred or are no longer associated. Though the principals were optimistic with their reports, there were others at the meeting, representing school police and the Clark County Teachers Association, who believe there are serious underlying problems with skinheads and gang activity in various areas of Las Vegas. There was on what was being done in the community to combat this problem. For instance, the Clark County Teachers Association sponsored a program November 19th on the issue of skinheads on campus where the National Conference sponsored a prejudice reduction program. However, by the end of the meeting, it still was not clear how widespread the problem is and whether adults are involved in recruiting and manipulating the kids that are involved. The CRC is addressing other issues e.g. wrongful termination of a Casino worker, the Jewish American Princess dolls and Nazi memorabilia. Milton I. Schwartz said he had never had an occasion to believe there was any anti-semitic leanings in the legislature, but a stand on the prayer issue is needed. Edythe said she was very impressed with the policies presented by the police and F.B.I. Allan thanked Hal for his report. IX. ENDOWMENT DISBURSEMENTS Allan called on Daryl Alterwitz to give the Endowment Report. Daryl said the Endowment Committee has complied a list of individuals to be asked to join the Endowment Committee and a list of people for direct solicitations. The marketing plan includes the use of the endowment brochures, seminars and the Jewish Reporter. The Committee has tried to publicize the availability of endowment funds through the synagogues and the Jewish Reporter. As a result the Committee has had a number of requests and inquiries. Daryl said Mark Berger, our West Coast Regional Consultant for the Council of Jewish Federations, discussed SHEp (The Shared Endowment Professional) program at the last endowment meeting. Long Beach, Santa Barbara and Des Moines are participating in a pilot program where the three communities are sharing an endowment professional. The initial results have been positive with Mark indicated that creating a $5 million endowment within the next several years was not unreasonable. Daryl said philanthropic funds and donor advised funds were the way to go in the future. He said everyone on the Board should set-up a fund and to contact him to do the paperwork. Daryl asked for a motion to distribute the following from philanthropic funds: $10,000 to the Women's Division Campaign and $2,000 to the Meadows School. Mike Cherry moved to distribute $10,000 to the Women's Division Campaign and $2,000 to the Meadows School from philanthropic funds. Mike Novick seconded and the motion carried. Allan thanked Daryl for his report. He emphasized the need for every Board member to establish a Philanthropic Fund from which they can make all their charitable contributions; or an Endowment that they can designate for a special project; or a perpetual Campaign gift. X. COMPUTER PURCHASE Allan said the Jewish Reporter needs to purchase a desk top publisher. This unit would also be utilized for creating invitations, once our staff has been trained, and in the long run it can save the Jewish Federation a considerable amount of money. We are also exploring the possibility of having the Jewish Community Center leasing time or to assist in the purchase of this machine since they will need this type of equipment once their professional is on board. This equipment has been priced out from various places, and the cost is going to be approximately $5,500 which includes the software. The Executive Committee is recommending we allocate this money from our Building Fund as a capital expense. I would like to ask for a motion to accept this recommendation. Mike Novick moved to allocate $5,500 from our Building Fund as a capital expense to purchase a desk top publisher. Milton I. Schwartz seconded the motion and it carried. XI. NEW BOARD APPOINTMENT Allan said the Federation recently received a call from Judge Jack Lehman asking to resign from the Board due to the fact that he is unable to attend the meetings. He said he regrettably accepted his resignation. Allan wanted to place into nomination Judge Fran Fine Starmer to fill the vacant position. Fran has been active for many years in the Women's Division and has a strong commitment to our Jewish community. Mike Cherry nominated Judge Fran Fine Starmer to the Board of Directors. Irene Perer seconded the motion and it carried. XII. GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT Allan said several of the Board of Directors attended the General Assembly in Denver two weeks ago. Both Yitzhak Rabin and A1 Gore spoke at the General Assembly. Allan said the General Assembly was very exciting and he came away from Denver feeling the time in Denver was well spent. He said many sessions dealt with the Federation and its need to encourage people to set-up endowments, trusts or perpetual gifts to insure a Jewish future. Allan said Richard Pearlstone, National Chairman of the Untied Jewish Appeal, was in Las Vegas during Comdex, and while here he met with lay leadership. 8 XIII. GOOD AND WELFARE Edythe Katz, Holocaust, said the Federation's Holocaust Conference will be February 15/16, 1994. The event will be chaired by Carla McComb with Myra Slotnick the co-chair, Myra Slotnick. Of the 900 who will be attending 80% will be children, and Leopold Page will be the speaker. The Sands Hotel is providing rooms and dinners for the event. Ronni said Amy and Allan Boruszak received the Young Leadership award at the General Assembly. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Allan said the next meeting of the Board of Directors will be in January. The Executive Committee will meet December 14, 1995. 9 AGENDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOVEMBER 30, 1994 I. WELCOME AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. UNLV STUDENT PRESENTATIONS IV. CAMPAIGN REPORT V. WOMEN'S DIVISION REPORT VI. INVESTMENT POLICIES AND GUIDELINES VII. MISSION SUBSIDIES FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VIII. COMMUNITY RELATIONS REPORT IX. ENDOWMENT DISBURSEMENTS X. COMPUTER PURCHASE XI. NEW BOARD APPOINTMENT XII. GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT XIII. ADJOURNMENT NEXT MEETING - DECEMBER 14, 1994 JEWISH FEDERATION OF LAS VEGAS orr SIGESMU.VD CENTER - 3909 South Maryiund Parkarzy. Suiu 400 - Las Vegas. Nevaha X91I9.,5J) (702) 732-0556 - FAX (702) 732-3223 This is the time of year most Americans think seriously about contributing to one or more charitable organizations. The holidays are a reminder that others could use a hand. December is also the last opportunity to make a tax-deductible * donation for 1994. But the public is growing stingy and skeptical about giving. Last year the average household gave $880 to charity, down from $899 two years earlier?an 8% decrease after inflation?accord-ing to a new survey by Independent Sector, a coalition of more than 800 nonprofits. Giving in 1994 may slow even further, the group predicts. One reason: the uncertain economic recovery. "People want to be supportive," says Virginia Hodgkinson, Independent Sector's research di-rector, "but they're afraid to give too much be-cause they're insecure about the future." Recent headlines also make some people worry that their dollars may not be spent wisely by charities. In September the ousted president of United Way of America, William Aramony, and two former aides were charged with stealing more than $1 million from the organization for personal use; Aramony maintains he is innocent. Earlier in the year, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation got a rash of bad publicity when it was discovered that none of the nearly $10 mil-lion the group raised in a direct-mail campaign went to buy toys. Reason: The campaign was so costly that all the donations went to pay its bills. 1 5 6 MONEY ? D E C E M B E R 1994 by Ellen Stark and reporter associate Susan Berger THE TOP U.S. CHARITIES IN SIX CATEGORIES Rank/category/charity Program spending as a % of income 1 SOCIAL SERVICES: United Jewish Appeal 94.7 2 RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT: international Rescue Committee 92.3 3 EDUCATION AND CULTURE: National Academy of Sciences 91.9 4 CONSERVATION: National Wildlife Federation 86.2 5 HEALTH: National Mental Health Association 85.1 6 RELIGION: The Navigators 84.3 Motes: Percentoges ore three-year overoges In-kind charities are excluded here because they get most of their income in non-cosh contributions Also excluded Irom this ranking is the top chanfy for community giving, because the category is so smoll Top charities at work, from left: an International Rescue Committee volunteer in a refugee camp in Zaire; a United Jewish Appeal-sponsored immigrant resettlement camp near Jerusalem; two Navigators volunteers talking to inner-city kids in New Jersey Illustrations by Chris Gall M O N E Y ? D E C E M B E R 1 9 9 4 1 5 7 GIVING id curb costs, IIJA lets local groups raise funds One way some charities keep expenses down is by farming out the fund-raising work. That's the technique that makes the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) the most efficient of the 32 charities in the social services category for the second year in a row. Based in New York City, the UJA, which mostly assists Jewish causes overseas, raises funds with 164 Jewish fed-erations and 283 other community groups around the country, many of which also fund their own local social service pro-grams. While the UJA spent $23 million on fund raising last year and supports their partners' fund-raising efforts, the locals bear most of the costs. That kept UJA's fund-raising tab at a puny 5% of its S408 million in income last year. Neither the CBBB nor NCIB examine the UJA's finances. UJA primarily helps Jews immigrate to Israel from Europe, Asia and North Africa by channeling the money raised in the U.S. to two social service agencies that carry out the work: the Jewish Agency for Israel in Jerusalem and the American Jew-ish Joint Distribution Committee in New York City. With the help of $882 million raised by UJA between 1990 and 1993, these agencies airlifted more than 500,000 Jews from the for-mer Soviet Union and Ethiopia to Israel, under a program called Operation Exodus. Once the immigrants reach Israel, get help assimilating at 42 UJA-sponsored centers that piuvide housing, education and job training. UJA-supported agencies also offer food, shelter, education and medical care to Jews in 57 countries besides Israel. Under the leadership of a new chairman, Richard L. Pearlstone, the UJA is working to encourage donations from young American Jews who were born after the founding of Israel in 1948. For example, the group has recently created the Israel Experience, a project that brings U.S. high school and college students to Israel to meet young Israelis and learn about the country's history. 13 Community of the Month: Lauding LAS VEGAS! * This fastest-growing city in the nation also boasts one of the est-growing Jewish federations. In their first year as top Tcderation leadership, President Dr. Allan Boruszak and Executive Director Ronni Epstein (formerly Assistant Exec of Palm Beach County) have promoted new and positive changes to keep pace with the influx of some 4,000 newcomers to the community each month). * Campaign '94 realized an incredible 40 percent card-for-card increase, reflecting the new composition of what is becoming a model community. * Women's Division is playing a major part in attracting and identifying many of those newcomers. During a four-month period, it offered a "Coffee and Conversations" program in various locations, each event attended by at least 30 newcomers. Presenta-tions by WD President Leslie Simon and Outreach V.P.'s Maria Letizia and Bonnie Pomerantz have motivated the new women, and involvement is growing... WD held its annual Board Retreat in Phoenix this year. After visiting the Plotkin Judaica Museum and the Kivel Campus of Care, a skilled- and intermediate-care facility for seniors, the women lunched and caucused at the home of noted Holocaust scholars and lecturers Gerda and Kurt Klein and offi-cially launched the '95 Campaign with a 25 percent card-for-card increase. * The federation is participating in a Pilot Missions-Marketing Program with UJA. The aim: to produce a national model to licize- homecoming missions to Israel, using TV spots, ads and u.?ect mail to promote interest in a variety of experiences in Israel. * What's new, to help boost the '95 Campaign season: The Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada recently joined the list of federation agencies, and a full-time professional has been hired to begin formulating quality Jewish programs for all ages . . . Another addition to the ranks of federation agencies, Hebrew High, an educational program for Jewish teens throughout Las Vegas, recently tripled its enrollment... A Young Leadership Develop-ment program has been established, with interested applicants numbering close to 150. * A federation-commissioned Demographic Study and Needs Assessment is being overseen by Planning Committee Chairman Amy Boruszak and her committee. Conducted by Dr. Gary Tobin of Brandeis University, a UJA consultant, working with the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Center for Business and Research, the study will create greater visibility for the federation while helping to set the agenda for the future. Campaign Report As of October 27, the Annual Campaign of UJA with federations and independent communities across the U.S. has raised $685.4 million compared with S656.6 million in )93 ? a card-for-card increase of 4.4 percent and a dollar gain of528.8 million. JDCJott ings... from the FSU * For the first time in 68 years ? since the Communists closed it - the Jews of Zaporozhe were able to attend High Holiday services in their own community synagogue. JDC was involved in the negotiations for the return of the building to the Jewish community, paid for preliminary renovations of it and sent a rabbi, who led holiday services for as many as 240 congregants. Truly a Happy New Year for Zaporozhe! * Thirty-five young people from 12 Volga regions and central Russian cities attended a two-day seminar on Hasidic and Yemenite dance at the first Israeli Folk Dance Seminar in Saratov, sponsored by JDC's Moscow Jewish Arts Center. The seminar featured a specially prepared video showing Hasidic dances and songs, parts of a Hasidic wedding, works by Shalom Aleichem, discussions of various dance training methods, and lectures on Israel. * In Omsk, Siberia, 12 talented young people from the Jewish community learned the fine art of wood carving at the first session of a school initiated by JDC to create a bond between the community's elderly and its youth. Taught by a professional artist and a pensioner, in four-hour lessons given three times a week, the students were eventually able to handcraft beautiful AronotHakodesh (Holy Arks), mezuzot, tzedakah boxes and other Judaica. * Kiev was once a major center of Soviet Yiddish culture - until the Nazis erased that culture by annihilating the people who spoke the language. Recently, after more than two score years, Kiev returned to the Eastern European map of Yiddish-speaking cities when it hosted 150 scholars and writers from Ukraine, Russia, other European nations, Israel and the U.S. for an international Yiddish conference sponsored by JDC and other organizations. JDC is a major beneficiary of funds raised in UJA's Annual Campaign withfederations and independent communities nationwide. New Materials from UJA Communications/PR Creative Services: *"Light One More Candle" Hanukkah ad (in two sizes) * Year-end Cash Stuffer (two-sided card for year-round use) Still Available: *The Case for Giving *How Your Contribution Helps (newly designed card for the '95 Annual Campaign) ? t ^ t t t - LlLiri 1 ONE MORE CANDLE For O u R S t L V t < FOR Our Cm!ldr>n For I<kah Editor: Norman IVeiser