Dear Friends and Neighbors of West Orange.

My family moved to West Orange approximately ten years ago, primarily for the schools. I am a cancer specialist (radiation oncologist) who worked for many years at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center before opening an office right here in West Orange. We are blessed with two children, one of whom is still in the West Orange school system, and we could not be more appreciative of all of the hard working professionals that have supported him along the way.

I am running for re-election to the board of education because we have finally started to see improvement, and I want to keep it going. Test scores are up, old buildings are getting renovated, curriculum is being revised (and in some cases completely replaced) and the budget process - while difficult for all- has never been more transparent. I am especially proud of the intervention strategies that have been started to help students who need a bit more assistance. I also believe that while we are striving to give our children the best education money can buy, we must always remember whose money is paying for it, and that's the taxpayer.

As a newly elected board member three years ago, I immediately started making regular visits to all the schools. Teachers and administrators appreciate the effort and they love talking to us about their successes, challenges and needs. I also love interacting with the kids. I have read to students and I have had the pleasure of sitting in on their classes to just watch and learn. Recently, other board members have started joining me on these visits. The focus at our board of education meetings is always goal driven, which means that we want a better learning environment even as we work through these challenging economic times. It also means holding the entire system (including board of education members) accountable. Whether a child is in the special needs program, an honor student, someone for whom English is a second language, or just an 8th grader struggling with math. Each child deserves our full attention. As a board member, I take this responsibility seriously. We will not be distracted or deterred from completing our mission, and we are just getting started !

Platform

Improved transparency

More interaction with parents

Making sure our kids have everything they need to succeed in the future. “Whether it is bussing, honors classes, preschool or the many other issues that people have mentioned to me while I walked each and every neighborhood since August”

Extra special attention for each child

His slogan is “More action, less talk. We see a problem, and we work to fix it.”

Professional Experience

Dr Ivker is a Board certified radiation oncologist treating cancer patients with radiation. He was Chairman of the Department at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in the South Ward for 12 years and has been Medical Director at the Prostate Cancer Center of New Jersey for the past 13 years.

Ivker noted that his many years in position of leadership have provided extensive experience in dealing with budgets, schedules and people.

Community Service

“When I finished my medical training, I had offers to work all over the country and all over New Jersey. I chose the South Ward of Newark because that was where I felt the need was greatest,” commented Ikver. He continued, “My whole life, from the time I was 15 years old, has been dedicated to helping the people who need it most. With regard to community service, I have devoted my life to it, both from my office and outside of it."

He initiated outreach to increase cancer screening for African Americans in Newark.

He and his wife founded Holocaust Survivor Fund to help Holocaust survivors living in poverty.

Before he was old enough to drive, he asked people to take him to the senior citizens housing, so he could volunteer his time.

Accomplishments

100 Black Men of Newark Who Care Award for his outreach efforts to increase cancer screening in the African American community

Humanitarian of the Year Award for helping to feed with Holocaust Survivor Fund

Named in Top Docs of New Jersey

Governor's Appointee to the NJ Cancer Commission

Past President, Oncology Society of New Jersey

Past President, Oncology Society of Essex County

Past Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Founder, Holocaust Survivors Fund at the Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst

Governmental Affairs Committee, American College of Radiology