This post is sponsored by the Jewish Federation Bay Area.
For more than a century, the Jewish Federation Bay Area has been woven into the fabric of Bay Area Jewish life. It has stood beside families in times of need, connected communities across the globe, and helped ensure that Jewish identity, values, and traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.
Legacy giving — leaving a planned endowment gift through a will, trust, retirement account, or other vehicle — is one of the most effective ways a person can ensure their wishes and values are supported beyond their lifetime. Whether for a specific cause or organization, or an unrestricted gift that the Federation directs where it’s needed most, your legacy will be stewarded by an institution with the experience, infrastructure, and long-term vision to ensure it remains impactful for decades to come.
As California’s largest funder of Jewish causes, the Federation has both the reach and the expertise to honor a donor’s values across a changing world.
For many, the decision to make a legacy gift is also a deeply Jewish one. The concept of l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation), sits at the heart of Jewish tradition. It is the idea that we are not just living our own lives, but tending to something larger: a community, a culture, a people. A legacy gift is an act of faith in that idea. It is a way of saying: “I was here. This mattered to me. And I want it to matter long after I am gone.”
For over 100 years, the Federation has been a significant force in building Jewish community in the Bay Area. It is very meaningful to Harris and me that we, through the Federation’s endowment, have the opportunity to help ensure that there will be support for the community over the next generations.
—Dana Corvin
The Federation’s legacy society was created to honor that commitment. Members are donors who have remembered the Federation in their will or trust, with a charitable gift annuity, or as a beneficiary of their retirement account or life insurance policy. They come from all walks of life, and their gifts take many forms. What they share is a belief in the Federation’s mission and a desire to see it carried forward.
Membership comes with meaningful recognition and benefits, including invitations to special events. But for most members, the greatest reward is the knowledge that they have done something lasting.
Getting started is easier than many people expect. The Federation’s advisors offer completely confidential, no-obligation conversations to help donors explore the giving vehicle that best fits their wishes, their family, and their financial situation.
If you have already included the Federation in your plans or would like to speak with one of our advisors about creating a plan that reflects your wishes and values, contact us at 415.512.6250 or [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Learn more at jewishfed.org/legacy.