What activities do you enjoy doing? Whatever they are, chances are you can get even more enjoyment from them as your skill level increases. And as Ira Riklis can tell you, the best way to develop your skills is to find a good teacher. His love of skiing began with a family trip he took as a young boy. But it was only after he began taking lessons that he began to really improve and as his skills developed, his confidence grew and skiing became not only fun, but exhilarating.
At first, you may have friends or family members who can get you started. But Ira Riklis cautions against relying on them for long. Most people who are good skiers are not good teachers. Plus they’ll want to be skiing the big slopes, not spending time with you on the bunny hills. Where can find good teachers? Look for classes offered at ski resorts. Group lessons are most affordable, while one-on-one instruction ensures that you’ll have the instructor’s undivided attention. Local ski organizations or clubs often hold ski clinics where you can learn along with others from your area.
Ira Riklis is part of the Aish Executive Learning Program
Here’s a description of what Ira and others value in the program:
“The Executive Learning Program is a one-on-one learning session designed for Jewish professionals with a lot of curiosity but not a lot of time. Sessions are held weekly at the location that’s best for you: your office, your home, our library, or the Starbucks on your corner.
You’ll meet with a learned rabbi who will answer questions you have about the Torah, the Talmud, Jewish Law, and inspire new ones along the way.”
I really respect the way that the Jewish faith encourages questions. This organization and its members explore the meaning of what it means to be Jewish today. Ira Riklis is part of that tradition.
What does Ira Riklis do for the holidays, besides skiing? Well for one, his holiday is celebrated in Jewish style, not Christmas but Hanukkah. Ira Riklis is active in many Jewish organizations.
Did you know?
- Jewish kids to get eight surprise gifts, one per night.
- Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, begins each year on the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev, which this year falls on the 12th of December or at sundown on the 11th and centers around the Menorah.
- Contributions are made to the poor, small gifts as well as Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for money), are exchanged on each of the eight nights, games are played and special food served.
- Jews play a traditional game – spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top. Depending on which side it lands, the player either wins or gives up part of his stash of goodies “” gold-wrapped chocolate coins, nuts, raisins, real coins or other markers.
- Like most holidays, delicious food is part of the celebration. Popular dishes include: potato pancakes, (latkes) served with applesauce and/or sour cream.
- Treats include Hanukkah cookies.
- The traditional Hanukkah song is “Maoz Tsur”
Happy Hanukkah to the Riklis family and to everyone!
These are some of the most popular blog posts about Ira Riklis in case you missed them:
Ira Riklis – President of Sutherland Capital
Now that Thanksgiving is done, Ira Riklis wants to give thanks for things in his life. Here’s the top 5:
1. I’m thankful I found my ski coach and friend Mike over 20 years ago.
2. I’m also thankful for my favorite sports team the New York Yankees!
3. I’m thankful for a good education and a strong education for each of my children.
5. Of course, I’m deeply thankful for Diana, our family and our children.
Chances are no matter how hard you’ve tried or how long you’ve been practicing a skill, there’s someone who can help you get better. That’s a lesson I’ve learned from watching people like Ira Riklis and others. You can’t possibly be good at everything, so find an expert to help. But not just any expert, an expert who is a good teacher. Yes, tough to find.
And it will cost you (is it worth it to you? if you truly want to master something you will have to invest in learning, not just with time but with cash). I know someone who paid $5k for a coaching program. The most integral part is a daily call with 3 people you don’t know. These folks keep you on track and check in with you each day to see if you’re doing the things that will lead to success. But they are amateurs in what you want to learn. They help you with the right habits. Help you stick to what the teacher has taught you.
Before that though there is coaching with the right person. I admit that person is tough to find. It took Ira Riklis 20 years to find a ski coach that could teach him skiing. I’m sure he also paid quite a bit for lessons. And this is for leisure, not business! But it shows it’s important to him. Look at the enjoyment he’s gotten from it!
Recurring income is the goal of every business and like in skiing, every business can use some coaching or direction. In this case it’s The Edmond’s Group. You’ll find this entry on their site. It’s about Ira’s company Sutherland Capital Management, Inc. in New York, NY.
Sutherland Capital is a holding company for the investing activities of Ira D. Riklis. Sutherland has a variety of control and minority investments in a number of different companies across a range of industries. Sutherland’s most prominent investment is its controlling interest in C.O.P.S. Monitoring. COPS is the second largest wholesale monitoring business in the North American security alarm industry. It serves over 4,000 alarm dealers and 500,000 alarm customers.
“I believe the power to make money is a gift from God . . . to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind.”
-John D. Rockefeller
I’ve talked a lot about the causes that Ira Riklis believes in and supports. “Entrepreneurs in this country are some of its most charitable citizens.” Some credit their success because of their giving. Can this be possible?
Here are some common myths about wealth in the US
Myth: Americans are stingy
Fact: The average American citizen gives away 3.5x as much money each year as the average French citizen,7x as much as the average German, and 14x as much as the average Italian.That is per capita.
Myth: As people get wealthier they give less.
Fact: The average American family between 1954 and 2004 (adjusted for inflation) showed a 150% increase in real purchasing power. Family charitable giving also increased over the same period—on average by 190%.
Myth: You can’t profit by being charitable
Fact: Using happiness as a currency — people who give to charity are 43% more likely than people who don’t give to say they’re very happy people. People who give blood are 2x as likely to say they’re very happy people as people who don’t. People who volunteer are happier too. Studies show that when people give, it lowers their levels of stress.
Read more…
Ira Riklis named Jean Claude Killy as his personal hero in the skiing world. Killy is a French ski racer. He was second man ever to win all 3 alpine events at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble. He’s still a record holder — since no one else has won all three: Slalom, Giant Slalom and Downhill.
Since Ira was such a big fan he decided to get the exact same skis — Dynamic VR17. They are racing skis. What happened is funny (at least now) he broke his leg in the first week after trying his new skis! I guess you can say he jumped the gun a little. Still, it’s endearing. The hero worship!
After his skiing career, Killy became a member of the International Olympic Committee (1995 to 2008). An article written about him talked about the art he used in selling himself and how he racked up contracts to endorse products (like cars)
Ira went on to master ski racing on racing skis — with no more broken bones and to start and invest in companies.
Here’s a profesional picture of Ira Ricklis, President of Sutherland Capital. Pictures of Ira Riklis are tough to come by, so please enjoy!
