When each of our three children became a Bat or Bar Mitzvah, we introduced them to the Jewish Foundation and to the concept of legacy giving. Our belief was that by establishing a Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Foundation through the B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy program, they would have the ability to support the charities they care about, now and for the rest of their lives. Becoming a Bat or Bar Mitzvah is about stepping into the role of a Jewish adult and, with a fund at the Jewish Foundation, our children are able to fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah now and in perpetuity. Their funds have not only provided them with a meaningful way to use their B’nai Mitzvah gifts, but it has enabled them to become strategic philanthropists. What makes us most proud is that through their funds, not only have they been able to donate to specific causes important to them, but every year they make a gift to UJA’s campaign and we are confident that this commitment will continue as they grow into mature and independent adults.
While we support UJA annually, both with our time and with our philanthropy, we had never really considered establishing our own fund. Our kids had secured their legacy but we had not! As the work of UJA has become a growing focus of both our giving and our volunteering, it was clear that it was time for us to consider legacy giving. We understand the critical role the UJA campaign plays in our community and the importance of Federation and that no other funder can truly do what UJA can.
We wanted to ensure that the essential work of UJA continues for generations to come. Hence, we have confirmed a Legacy gift to secure our annual gift. By using our planned gift to the Jewish Foundation to set up a UJA Legacy Fund, we ensure that our support will continue long after we are no longer here to make this gift. This has become increasingly important to us as we experience, first hand, both the power of UJA’s work and the challenge of engaging the next generation of philanthropists. We hope that, by establishing a Legacy Fund, we are helping to secure the Jewish future for our community. It is our hope that our children, and future generations, continue to make the Jewish Foundation and the annual campaign a strategic and philanthropic priority.
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