Temple Emanu-El’s MORASHA/LEGACY GIVING SOCIETY
“As my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for future generations.”
Babylonia Talmud, Taanit 23a
As a member of the Temple Emanu-El community, you help to make the Temple a dynamic and vibrant center of Jewish life. We are grateful for your membership in the congregation, and your philanthropic commitments that help advance the Temple’s mission.
An essential element of the Temple’s philanthropy program are Legacy Gifts to our endowment that provide long-term financial sustainability for the Temple, allowing us to continue the work we know you value. They can also benefit you and your family in material ways.
WHY MAKE A LEGACY GIFT?
A Legacy Gift is one of the highest forms of Tzedakah. The great sage Maimonides said that giving funds without the guarantee of seeing their impact is practicing the Mitzvah for the sake of the Mitzvah. Most often, Legacy Gifts are carried out by means of a donor’s estate plan, and you may no longer be present to witness the difference they make. Yet as our tradition teaches, we are planting for future generations.
By making a Legacy Gift, you’ll:
EXPERIENCE joy and satisfaction knowing that you have taken steps to ensure the future of the Temple.
SHOW your love for Temple EmanuEl, from our vibrant worship services to our community gatherings to our robust education programs.
HONOR the values instilled in you by those who came before you.
SUSTAIN the Temple Emanu-El congregation and community for generations to come.
SET an example for the next generation by giving back to your Jewish home away from home.
SHARE your good fortune, making a difference that only you can create.
BENEFIT from using IRA’s and QCD’s to make your commitment to achieve potential income or estate tax savings.
JOIN TOGETHER with others who share your passion for and commitment to our Temple community.
Legacy Giving at Temple Emanu-El:
WORDS FROM OUR DONOR COMMUNITY
“We invite you to join us and many other members of the Temple who have established Legacy Gifts benefitting the congregation in perpetuity. Your Legacy Gift is a demonstrable statement of your commitment to the Temple which will provide financial stability and help ensure that Temple Emanu-El remains a vibrant and dynamic center of Jewish life for future generations .”
Jordan
Kuperschmid & Bill Maderer, Co-Chairs, Legacy Giving
“One of the most memorable moments each Shabbat morning at Temple Emanu-El is standing on the bimah with our B'nai Mitzvah students, their parents, grandparents, and sometimes even great-grandparents, as we pass the Torah through the generations. The Torah they hold and carry through our community is not just the ancient words of our Jewish tradition, but also the stories and values of their own families being passed down L’dor V’Dor…from generation to generation.
The concept of L'dor V'dor remains a guiding principle as to how we preserve and pass on our legacies to the next generation through our traditions and actions. One meaningful way we embody this concept today is through Legacy Giving which ensures our impact continues long after we are gone. Your Legacy Gift to the Temple is a tangible way for you to pass on the lessons, ideals, and support that will shape future generations of Temple members for our sacred community.”
Rabbi Ethan Prosnit
“Our involvement in Temple Emanu-El has been among the most rewarding activities of our lives. We found a home, community, purpose, and a connection with the staff, lay leaders, and congregants that we will always treasure.
Our wish is for others to feel the same. We hope to set an example for others and invest in our children and grandchildren's future. Both our own and others growing up in our Temple. There is no better investment than the future of Reform Judaism.”
Marci & Michael Schoenbach
“It was with heartfelt appreciation when we made our Legacy Gift to Temple Emanu-El. For the past 40 years, the Temple has been an important part of our life providing a religious foundation and a sense of community. We have celebrated many milestones at Temple Emanu-El and recognize the need to support the Temple for future generations .”
Renee & David Golush
“ We made a Legacy Gift because of our strong belief in L'Dor V'Dor. The Cohen family has been engaged in all facets of synagogue life for three generations. We hope other families will have the opportunity to benefit from what Temple Emanu-El has to offer for generations to come.”
Sylvia & Howard Cohen
“We closed on our new home in the morning, became members of the Temple Emanu-El family that afternoon and 52 years later we feel blessed to have experienced deep and meaningful sermons, beautiful music, sincere relationships with our exceptional clergy, and cherished friendships. As we celebrate the Temple’s 75th Anniversary we believe this is the perfect moment to recommit to our Temple and future generations with our Legacy Gift and our prayer that we may be present to enjoy its vibrancy for years to come.”
Helaine & Marv Gersten
“ Temple Emanu-El is bursting with joy, learning, and good deeds . It has enriched our family with the vibrant spirit of Jewish life. We want to make sure that this spirit lives on for generations to come. That's why we made a Legacy Gift and encourage you to do the same.”
Rabbi Charles & Dr. Terry Kroloff
“ For over 50 years, Temple Emanu-El has always been a home for our family for learning, prayer and enjoying our Jewish heritage. We have been blessed with visionary Rabbis and lay leaders who have made Temple Emanu-El a vanguard in the mainstream of Reform Jewish life which we wish to see continue in the future. Congregational involvement and financial support have long been the foundation of our achievement and success.”
Betsy & Alan Haveson
Temple Emanu-El Morasha Legacy Gift Society
Morasha is the Hebrew word for the legacy or inheritance you provide to the future. Temple Emanu-El’s Morasha Legacy Gift Society recognizes those who sustain the Temple by making their Legacy Gift. Through their generosity, Morasha Society members ensure the continuity and strength of our congregation for generations to come. Special recognition is given to Morasha Society members along with programming in appreciation for your Legacy Gift commitment.
We are here to partner with you regarding your charitable intentions in making a Legacy Gift benefitting Temple Emanu-El. We strongly recommend that you consult with your financial or legal advisors on the particular strategies you may want to consider for establishing a Legacy Gift. Thank you for your generosity — may we continue to plant seeds for the next generation, together.
THE PHILANTHROPIC LANDSCAPE
According to the Boston College Center on Wealth & Philanthropy more than $59 trillion in wealth will transfer by 2061. Federal estate taxes will account for more than $5 trillion and heirs will receive more than $36 trillion. More than $27 billion is expected to go to charity.
In considering your estate plans, provisions for your family should be your greatest priority. Similarly, we hope you will consider a gift to the Temple as part of your Estate Plans a way to support the congregation in the future and to establish your personal legacy.
Some donors will make a Legacy Gift donation during their lifetimes while other donors will make provisions for a Legacy Gift in their estate plans. The best time to make a Legacy Gift is a decision to make with your family and advisors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Isn’t Legacy Giving just for older, wealthy people?
No. Regardless of age or economic status, anyone can make a Legacy Gift in an amount that is meaningful to them. You can always update your plan as your personal circumstances change.
Does a Legacy Gift require a will?
Not necessarily. Including the Temple in your will is the most straightforward way to make a Legacy Gift. You may leave a specific amount or a percent of your estate to the Temple. You may also make a Legacy Gift in other ways, without including the Temple in your will, such as by naming the Temple as a beneficiary of an IRA or life insurance policy.
Do you have to give your Legacy Gift in cash to receive an acknowledgement now?
No! If you inform the Temple of your intention the Temple will be pleased to welcome you as a member of the Morasha Society and recognize you for your intention to make a Legacy Gift to the congregation.
Isn’t Legacy Giving focused on my death?
No! Establishing your Legacy Gift now is an affirmation of your commitment to the Temple that will be recognized during your life and which will make a difference for the Temple in perpetuity.
Isn’t a Legacy Gift taking away from my family’s inheritance?
No! Taking care of your family is an important priority. So is your Legacy Gift which is a statement of your values and commitment to the Temple. It is our hope you will consider your Temple family as well in your estate planning.
MAKING YOUR LEGACY GIFT
There are many ways of making a Legacy Gift, and your financial advisor can help you choose the method (or methods) that are right for you. Ways to give include:
Learn more about each of these methods at https://www.tewnj.org/legacy, or please contact Elliot B. Karp, Director of Philanthropy at Temple Emanu-El.
THANK YOU Legacy Giving is a celebration of life, allowing you to align your resources with your deepest beliefs and aspirations. It’s a way to inspire others and set an example of generosity, all while helping to ensure that the Temple remains a thriving center of faith, tradition, and service for years to come. We are honored by your membership in our community, and hope you consider this opportunity to cement your legacy — planting seeds that will bear fruit for the generations to come.
Rabbi Ethan Prosnit Ben Berry, President Jordan Kuperschmid & Bill Maderer Co-Chairs, Legacy Giving
For more information about how you can make a Legacy Gift benefitting Temple Emanu-El please contact:
Elliot B. Karp, Director of Philanthropy ekarp@tewnj.org (908) 858-6364
Temple Emanu-El of Westfield 756 E. Broad Street Westfield, New Jersey 07090 (908) 232-6770