Start the Conversation

“ We want to leave a legacy of philanthropy to show our children it is important to support our communities, the arts and the disadvantaged, but it is especially important to support Jewish organizations, for if Jews do not, others surely will not.”
-Joyce Jaffee

By asking lots of questions, you can start the conversation about legacy planning – first with yourself, then with your family and others who are important in your life.

Most of us would rather clean our closets or the garage than talk seriously about the issues facing society, our financial circumstances or what happens when we are gone.

Yet, many who venture down that conversational path find the process quite uplifting.  Why?  Because they discover the excitement of focusing on their own vision for the future and finding ways to support their personal passions.

What in the world really matters to you? What organizations or causes do you want to see survive and thrive into the future? How will our community have changed by then? What will the needs be?

You may already support several favorite causes or organizations – like your synagogue, your alma mater, the arts, Jewish youth organizations, health research or food for the hungry. What happens to them when you are gone?

As Jews, we care for our families and we leave our assets to our children. But what if you had one more child – your community – which you love, value and care for, whose future you worry about? What then?

You may wonder how you can plan a legacy when you don’t know what your assets or needs will be years from now. What if you allocated a percentage instead? What funding options are available? How can I involve my children?