Buoyed by the energy and sense of community generated by its centennial FedFest 100 in April, the S.F-based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund is rolling three of its annual marquee events into a single Day of Philanthropy on Nov. 16 in San Francisco.
The daylong event will include the federation’s annual tax and estate planning seminar, its luncheon honoring leading philanthropists and the Business Leadership Council’s Jewish vintners winetasting.
Bluegrass mandolin player David Grisman and klezmer clarinetist Andy Statman headline the luncheon entertainment. Also on offer during the day is a free series of philanthropic education workshops.
“We were inspired by the feedback from the FedFest celebration,” said Mark Reisbaum, the federation’s chief endowment officer. “There was great energy around having activities that appealed to the entire community.”
To that end, the morning tax and estate-planning seminar, led by Edward J. Beckwith, is designed to attract both planning professionals and community members. As in past years, it will offer continuing education credit. Federation staff members will be on hand to discuss how they can work effectively in partnership with tax and estate planners.
John D. Goldman, former JCF president (2000-2002), will be honored at the luncheon. Goldman currently serves, among his many leadership positions, as president of the San Francisco Symphony. He is also a past president of the board of the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
“With John Goldman’s being so involved with the symphony, we wanted to do something musical as part of our tribute to him,” Karen Daitch, the event’s manager, said of scheduling Grisman and Statman. “Our decision to add entertainment to the luncheon was also part of our desire to appeal to the broader community.”
Any of the hundreds of anticipated attendees who want to enjoy more of Grisman and Statman can go to an afternoon workshop where David Katznelson, the federation’s director of outreach and special programs, will interview the musicians.
The duo also will play a concert after the workshops end in the late afternoon. It is open to all attendees and sponsored by Women’s Philanthropy.
Participants wanting to delve further into the planning and financial aspects of philanthropy can attend a short seminar on philanthropic and estate planning tips, moderated by the Jewish Community Endowment Fund’s Andrew Fradkin and featuring Beckwith, as well as a workshop on financial literacy for philanthropists.
Attendees also may be interested in other workshops, such as one about sharing values through ethical wills, or another focusing on engaging the next generation — including teens — in philanthropy.
Still others may be drawn to a conversation between Susan Berrin, editor of Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility, and Phyllis Cook, former executive director of the JCEF.
Attendees looking to learn insights from a “living legend” will not want to miss Reisbaum interviewing Roselyne “Cissie” Swig, who has played a major role in both the Jewish and broader communities as a businesswoman, adviser, activist and philanthropist.
On the lighter side, the annual Business Leadership Council’s Jewish vintners winetasting event became so popular that it outgrew its previous venue. “So it made sense to fold it into the Day of Philanthropy,” Reisbaum said.
Participants in the early evening event will connect with more than 20 premier California vintners associated with the Jewish community. Donors of $1,000 or more are invited to a special reserve winetasting just prior to the main winetasting.
Daitch, who is also involved with federation as a Young Adult Division leader, is excited about how the Day of Philanthropy has been planned to attract young people in addition to older community members.
Reisbaum hopes the day will highlight the various ways that people can connect with the federation. “It’s about showing the added value that JCF brings to philanthropy — the Jewish values and the multigenerational tradition of giving,” he said. “We are stepping up our game about bringing the community together.”
Day of Philanthropy, Nov. 16 at the InterContinental Hotel, 888 Howard St., S.F. Registration for the day is required, including for the free workshops. www.jewishfed.org/event/dop2011 or (415) 512-6204.