Dear Member:

A Note From the Chancellor

In my first newsletter, which I wrote over two years ago, I spoke of the reasons for creating the Brandeis Law Society and some of my objectives for its future. I spoke of the need to fulfill our mission statement by providing opportunities for leadership development, social interaction, education and community service. We have accomplished much during the past two years.

• With the help of our Executive Committee and numerous volunteers, we set out to provide several opportunities for CLE, at least one of which is free to our members each year.

• In memory of Stuart Agins (z’l), we have institutionalized a day of community service, which has been successful and rewarding.

• We have gone to the theatre in New York and Philadelphia, toured Jewish Philadelphia, laughed at Jackie Mason’s antics and cried over Golda Meir on her balcony.

• We have supported the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and sponsored the Bench–Bar conference in Atlantic City.

• We successfully supported candidates for Bar Association elections.

• We have created a website and an almost paperless organization that can communicate with each other quickly and efficiently.

• With the help of our dedicated website committee, we have established a referral service on our web site.

• We hosted our first annual “Latkes and Vodka” Chanukah party, and recognized Larry Beaser as our first Benjamin F. Levy Community Award recipient. It was truly a wonderful party, and this year’s Chanukah celebration was just as wonderful when Hon. Myrna Field received the same award. Madame Justice Sandra Newman presented the award to Judge Field.

In short, in less than two years we have become an organization with defined goals and standards–-and more than 200 members. I am truly proud of what we have accomplished so far.

At our retreat on October 23rd, 2005, newer members, members of longstanding, and a student member worked together to forge the goals for our future. What came out of that meeting will be the basis upon which we go forward in the next years. There are approximately 4,000 Jewish Lawyers in the city. There is no reason why they should not be members of Brandeis. It has became clear that our charge is to present to our colleagues the affirmative reasons why they should be members of Brandeis Law Society. We talked about basketball leagues, Shabbat dinners, and travel for our members. We spoke about mentoring law students and young lawyers so that they know that they are valued by our organization. We spoke about ways to get together on an informal basis and to band together when the threat of anti-Semitism rears its ugly head.

I have stepped down as Chancellor just a few days ago. Part of me wishes that I could remain for another term. Then, as I regain my right mind, I remember that the best position to have in any organization is Past Chancellor. I have turned over the stewardship over to Michael Berkowitz, who will do a wonderful job as Chancellor and who has his own vision of how to take Brandeis to the next level. I have received so much help in the last two years that it would be truly remiss of me not to mention Michael Berkowitz, Todd Berk, Adam Laver, Lou Podel, Scott Sigman, Meyer Horowitz, Al Dragon and Larry Beaser, who took on any assignment that I gave them and did it willingly and cheerfully. I must especially thank Sam Adenbaum, our webmaster, who helped us enter the 21st Century. And, of course, I need to thank Mitchell Klevan, who is not afraid to tell me when I am making a mistake, am being too wordy, etc.

I look forward to working with Michael and with all of the members to continue to make Brandeis Law Society the best organization that it can be.

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