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| Allan Cutrow, Incoming Chair, and Mark Slavkin, Immediate Past Chair, celebrate the success of KOREH L.A. and pass on the “Chairperson’s Torch.” |
We are proud to introduce Allan B. Cutrow as the new chair of KOREH L.A. Allan is a highly respected lawyer with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and a dedicated KOREH L.A. volunteer. His success in his law firm has earned him the American Lawyer’s recognition as one of the best lawyers in America in Trusts and Estates Law for 2007. For the past three years, as part of his community involvement, he served as a volunteer at Richland Elementary School along with his law firm colleagues, helping students attain the critical reading skills necessary for a successful future. Following are some of his thoughts on literacy, KOREH L.A., and corporate citizenship.
1. What sparked your interest in KOREH L.A.?
KOREH L.A. does two important things: first, most obviously, it is committed to dealing with a fundamental and critical need in our community. Secondly, and equally important, this program gives its volunteers the opportunity to make clear to the students being helped and their parents that we are all in this together, and that we are committed to each other to make our community better for all of us.
2. How did you become involved with KOREH L.A.?
I had always read and heard about KOREH L.A. as a past UJF campaign chair and a board member of The Jewish Federation. When I (finally) had the time, I thought I would give it a try.
3. As a KOREH L.A. volunteer, what are some positive experiences you have had and challenges you faced in working with your student?
It was a challenge to identify exactly what methods were helpful to the student, but once I was able to do this it was very rewarding to watch the student respond and enjoy learning.
4. Do you have any advice for other KOREH L.A. volunteers?
Patience.
5. As a volunteer, what does KOREH L.A. mean to you, and what do you hope to accomplish as the new Chair?
As Chair, I see an opportunity not only to ensure the continuation of the program, but a chance to examine how we can create a foundation to continually improve literacy in our community.
6. What has surprised you in working with the program?
The wide range of volunteers. They represent a real cross section of community, from seniors to students, professionals young and old, and so on.
7. Your law firm, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, has been a corporate partner of KOREH L.A. for three and a half years and has sent 26 reading partner volunteers to Richland Elementary School. How does a successful law firm find the time to engage in volunteer work and what sparked you to encourage your staff to participate?
I have always believed that a lawyer has a responsibility to the community to use the skills they have for more than just the practice of law. I wanted to create an opportunity for our legal staff to do just that if it interested them. When we gave them the opportunity, we found that a full cross section of our staff was interested. Partnering with KOREH L.A. is one of the good things that our firm has done over the last 3 years.
8. When you are not busy with KOREH L.A., what are your other interests?
My wife, my three wonderful boys, coaching their teams, swimming with a masters swim team, raising money for a new pool at UCLA, and working in the United Jewish Fund campaign.
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