CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein and New York Life chairman Seymour G. Sternberg

Tony DiNapoli and David Weprin

Mark Wagar and Kathy Wylde

JCRC
Doctor’s Advice To A Wife
Can Be Lethal To Her Hubby

ARK WAGAR, president of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, seemed bewildered at the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) gala dinner at the Pierre Hotel in New York. "What’s a nice Methodist goy doing in a place like this?" he wondered.

"I should be out doing something else – like raising premiums."

Just kidding. The strapping executive, who at 6-foot-9-inches towered over all the 520 guests, received high honors from JCRC president Janice W. Shorenstein.

Seymour G. Sternberg, chairman/CEO of New York Life Insurance Company, called up Dr. Matthew Goldstein, chancellor of City University of New York, to accept an award.

The chancellor warned that students are facing a punishing future because too few are earning advanced degrees. "The younger generation which sorely needs advanced skills is not getting educated."

Roger Ailes, chairman/CEO of Fox News Channel, introduced his colleague, Lawrence (Lon) Jacobs, group general counsel of News Corporation, for a Corporate Leader Award.

Ailes said that at Lon’s recent medical checkup the doctor cautioned his wife to minimize stress for her husband.

"Make sure you prepare a hearty breakfast for Lon," the doctor advised. "You’re close to the office so you should go every afternoon and massage his neck. Have dinner ready for him every night. See that he does no chores around the house."

On the way home Lon asked his wife what the doctor said.

"He said you’re going to die."

That amused everyone, including JCRC executive vice president/CEO Michael Miller, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council member David I. Weprin, State Comptroller Tony DiNapoli, City Comptroller William Thompson Jr., UJA-Federation president John M. Shapiro, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Bishop Mitchell Taylor, and pr guru Howard Rubenstein.