When it comes to giving to others, any amount that you can afford to give is welcome and helpful. But even Ira Riklis, who’s been fortunate to have enjoyed great success in his business ventures, knows that the need that exists in this world is far greater than any one individual can fill. For that reason, and others, he considers it important to also consider the symbolism behind his donations.
One example of this is his practice of generally making donations in some multiple of eighteen dollars. Why? The habit is steeped in the ancient Hebrew tradition of Gematria—a system of assigning numerical values to words or phrases. This system evolved as a way to study and validate Holy texts. While Ira Riklis leaves these complex calculations to others, he, like most Jews, knows that the number eighteen represents the word Chai, which means “life” in Hebrew. So even in instances when he can only give a small donation, he gives eighteen dollars in appreciation of the gift of life.
It was during the summer of 1975 when Ira Riklis and his wife, Diana, first visited Vail. Their one-day visit was enough to leave a lasting impression on them of the area’s charm and beauty. So it’s not too surprising that they made their first ski trip to the still little-known mountain resort town that next winter. Well, in truth, it was a little surprising since, even though he loved the sport, Ira hadn’t been skiing once since breaking his leg five years earlier.
In 1970, he had suffered a severe break of both his tibia and fibula, right at the top of his ski boot. While his leg healed, he still felt a great deal of pain whenever he tried wearing ski boots. But after seeing Vail, Ira Riklis’ wife began to encourage him to once again take up the sport he loved and enjoyed. His comeback began on the slopes of Vail. (It was aided by the advent of higher-topped ski boots, but that’s a story for another time!)
Emunah Bet Elazraki, in Netanya, Israel, provides a home for children at risk, sees to their education and provides therapeutic and academic aid. But what most impressed Ira Riklis during a visit there some years ago, was that the home is truly a Home and upon their arrival, children living there become part of a family. Bonds established between the directors, the highly trained, professional staff and the children endure long after the children have grown and gone out on their own.
The fact that these children grow up, let alone that they grow up as healthy, productive individuals, is amazing enough. The more than 200 children at the home, ages 0-18, came from dysfunctional families ravaged by violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness or abandonment. For them, the home provides the hope, care and guidance they need to rise above their circumstances. Perhaps most important, as Ira Riklis saw first hand, was the love and sense of connection they receive, both while there and for the rest of their lives.
Every skier who’s truly dedicated to the sport has a favorite place they like to go. And for Ira Riklis, that place is Vail. But how did a young man from the East Coast discover what was, at the time, a relatively new and unknown ski resort? It happened back in 1975, while he and his wife were on a cross-country driving tour.
Heading back east from California, they headed into the Colorado Rockies to spend a days at Aspen—the well-established resort at the time. While there, they learned by chance that President Gerald Ford was in Vail, and thought it would be worth stopping in the town to see if they could catch a glimpse of him. They never did see him up close, but while enjoying a pleasant lunch on an outside terrace, Ira Riklis and his wife, Diana, were enchanted by Vail’s charm and beauty. It was love at first sight, and though they didn’t ski that first trip, they’ve been back many, many times, both in summer and winter.