community Deadlines approach for 2019 charitable deductions Better late than never always applies, but when it comes to year-end charitable gifts, the Birmingham Jewish Foundation and Birmingham Jewish Federation say better early than late. Both organizations are grateful for their supporters and want to ensure that donors’ gifts get credited to the year they are aiming for, so they are issuing a reminder of important year-end dates in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines. To be considered a 2019 donation, checks must be postmarked on or before Dec. 31, 2019. Just dating a check Dec. 31 is not sufficient for it to be considered a 2019 gift, if it is mailed or hand-delivered after that date. For a stock gift to be considered completed, and therefore eligible for a 2019 deduction, it actually must be in the Foundation or Federation account by Dec. 31. Donors should check with their brokers as to the time frame needed, but it is recommended that process of gifting begins no later than Dec. 20, in order for the gift to be complete by Dec. 31. Transferring mutual fund shares can take even longer, so consider starting even earlier for this asset. Those gifting stock should let the agencies know what stock and how many shares are being gifted, so they can be sure it gets credited to the right account or fund. For The Federation, contact Tiffany Hyche, tiffanyh@bjf.org, (205) 803-1513. For a gift to The Foundation, contact Hyche; Sally Friedman, sallyf@bjf.org, (205) 803-1519 or Janet Aarons, janeta@bjf.org, (205) 803-1524. The Foundation offers a variety of opportunities to open a named fund. For $1,000, a designated fund can be opened for a partner agency, such as the Levite Jewish Community Center, Collat Jewish Family Services, The N.E Miles Jewish Day School, Camp Dream Street MS, Huntsville’s Temple B’nai Sholom, Knesseth Israel Congregation or one of the region’s Jewish camps or Hillels. For $1,000 a special purpose fund, such as for youth programming or for needs in Israel, can be opened. An Unrestricted Fund can be opened for $1,000. These funds enable the Foundation board to make grants wherever the need is the greatest. Donor Advised Fund can be formed for $2,500, from which the donor can make recommendations over the years as to grants from the fund. The Foundation also welcomes gifts of any size to existing funds. The above is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax or financial advice. One should always consult with legal and tax advisers for planning strategies.
Village Framers 2847 Culver Road Mountain Brook 205/871-6221
Limmud announces first two speakers The first two speakers have been announced for LimmudFest New Orleans 2020, the regional weekend of Big Tent Jewish Learning. Author Rich Cohen and Wexner Heritage Program Director Rabba Yaffa Epstein will be among the dozens of presenters for the weekend of March 20 to 22. LimmudFest will have over 90 sessions in a variety of tracks, from text study to cultural exploration, Jewish food, social justice, art and history. Each congregation in the community participates in an environment that crosses denominational lines and levels of observance, including Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Shabbat services under one roof. There is also a children’s track. The weekend begins with services, Shabbat dinner and educational sessions at Gates of Prayer in Metairie. On Shabbat morning, there are services and additional sessions after lunch. Events shift to the Uptown Jewish Community Center for Havdalah and community programming. A full day of sessions will continue at the JCC on March 22. Cohen is the author of the New York Times bestsellers “Tough Jews,”
Carolyn Goldsmith, Untitled. Acrylic on Canvas. 42x32
Great gifts for Chanukah • original, contemporary, & traditional art • sculpture • custom framing • picture frames
Melanie Magee, Palms. Oil on Canvas. 11x14
December 2019 • Southern Jewish Life
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