Legacy Magazine, 2016 Edition

Jewish Federation OF CLEVELAND

Living

GENEROUSLY LEGACY EDITION 2016

shine

YOUR YEAR TO SHARING THE LIGHT WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS IN THIS ISSUE:

Meet Ruth Begun, Harry Blum, & Penny Greenberger

Bring your family together with Donor Advised Funds & Multi-Generational Giving

PLUS: Explore the Top 5

ways to Create Your Jewish Legacy and more!

Jewish Federation OF CLEVELAND

Seasons change, but your legacy is

eternal.

You can create a lasting legacy with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to benefit your children, grandchildren, and future generations, while supporting the causes you care about. Using a current or deferred endowment gift, you can become part of Federation’s Legacy Society.

www.jewishcleveland.org 2

A MESSAGE FROM RENEÉ CHELM AND STEVE HOFFMAN Our legacy donors are the lifeline of this community. Because of their vision, we are in a position of strength today. As community dynamics shift, we are prepared for whatever is ahead of us. We are able to weather the ups and downs of the economy without compromising services to those in need. We are able to support innovation in programming to reach more people and offer help when and where it is required. When there is crisis, we are able to respond locally and globally.

BOARD CHAIR

Todah (thank you) to all of you who had the foresight to make the Jewish Federation of Cleveland part of your estate plan. Because of you, and your legacy gifts, resources are available to take good care of our Jewish and general community. If you have already made the Federation part of your estate plan, or would like more information on how to do so, please get in touch. We look forward to talking with you.

May we go from strength to strength.

PRESIDENT

CONTENTS 4 Meet Our Co-Chairs

16 Spotlight on Innovative Program

5 The Extraordinary Ruth Begun z’I”

18 This is my Legacy: In My Own Words

8 Top Five Ways to Create a Jewish Legacy 10 Celebrating the Life of Harry Blum z’I” 12 The Art of Giving: A Thank You event for Endowment Donors

20 Bringing your Family Together: Donor Advised Funds 22 A Look at Multi-Generational Giving

14 Excerpts from the Endowment Book of Life

Jewish Federation OF CLEVELAND

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building 25701 Science Park Drive · Cleveland, Ohio 44122 216-593-2900 · www.jewishcleveland.org 3

MEET OUR CHAIRS

“As individuals who have devoted time and

“I invite you to join me in creating a legacy gift

treasure to the well-being of others, a legacy

for Federation. All of us support the mission

commitment to the Jewish Federation of

and vision of Federation. All of us support

Cleveland will support in perpetuity the

the annual campaign. A Legacy gift will make

values that have guided our action. What

sure that our lifetime commitments will live

better way to underwrite the security of our

beyond us.”

community for future generations and to memorialize our good name.”

BOB REITMAN

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MARCIA WEXBERG

C O - C H A I R S , C R E AT E YO U R J E W I S H L E G A C Y

“We feel that it is important to help

“There is no other organization like the Jewish

perpetuate the key things we have charitably

Federation. Every gift to the campaign has

and personally dedicated ourselves to

the potential to impact thousands of Jewish

during our lifetime. The Federation certainly

lives. It feels wonderful knowing that I have

falls into that category which is why we are

chosen to leave my legacy as a Campaign

participating in this gift making”

Endowment to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. I know that after I am no longer

TO M A D L E R

here to make my own gift to the Campaign For Jewish Needs, my endowment will ensure my gift will continue in perpetuity.”

S A N DY W U L I G E R

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BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

A LOOK AT MULTIGENERATIONAL GIVING

featuringTHE

ZELMAN FAMILY

M

any Jewish Cleveland families are seeking ways to engage in multigenerational philanthropy. We asked Ann Garson, Managing Director of Funds and Foundations at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to explain the recent surge of interest.

WHY IS MULTI-GENERATIONAL GIVING BECOMING MORE POPULAR? Across the nation, the largest transfer of wealth from one generation to the next is taking place. Parents and grandparents are realizing they haven’t shared their underlying motivations and meaning behind their giving.

They seek to be understood, to involve the next generation, and to pass on thier cherished values.

HOW CAN THE FEDERATION HELP? We are helping families get these conversations started. They know how to transfer valuables, but how do they pass on values?

We create a safe space where trust is built and all family members can participate equally. We facilitate healthy collaborative 6

family discussions around philanthropic goals, priorities, and values. Ultimately, we help navigate how a family legacy can continue on.

A family foundation can provide the structure and environment where multigenerational philanthropy can evolve and grow. It’s just one way that a family can engage to make an impact.

WE ASKED THE ZELMANS TO DESCRIBE THEIR EXPERIENCE DAN

legacy

– Bringing our adult children into

the conversation helps them to see what we value and helps to ensure that they continue it beyond our lifetimes.

ELLEN

gratitude

– Through our family

foundation, each family member has a voice and the Federation facilitates and enhances our giving back to the community.

ANDREW

heartfelt

– Family philanthropy brings us

closer as we listen to each other and discuss grantmaking that will have impact on others.

BRETT

rewarding

– Working together as a

family in philanthropy allows us to see our morals and values go from an individual level to a shared family value.

KARA

togetherness

– It is amazing to work

together as a family, compromising sometimes to make sure we are all satisfied with the grant decisions.

WHAT IS THE OUTCOME? When a family engages in multigenerational giving, they are changed by it.

They listen to each other and share in new ways across generations in a safe setting.

Really, the process is the product. And, it’s happening here through a Jewish lens.

MEET ANN GARSON For more information, contact Ann Garson at 216-593-2814 or agarson@jcfcleve.org

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Bringing Your Family

TOGETHER DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

F

or generations, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) have served as an effective and efficient tool for philanthropic grant making with tax advantages. And for generations the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has been helping donors put the tool to work for them — in fact, we help manage nearly 800 DAFs each and every day.

Over the years, we’ve seen a trend in how families are using DAFs as a first step — or the next step — in engaging family members in the philanthropic process.

If you are interested in having intergenerational conversations about values and philanthropic priorities between family members, here’s what you should know about DAFs. Some donors allow their children to recommend grants of a certain amount each year, and others gather at the dinner table to make philanthropic choices together. Either way, the fund acts as a catalyst for family philanthropy.

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Let’s talk taxes.

When you open a Donor Advised Fund (known as a DAF) an immediate tax deduction is available for the amount of the initial gift that establishes the fund. Then, income is earned on all donations to the fund and all income generated by the fund is tax-free.

Plus, the fund may be used to create endowments in perpetuity.

HOW TO GET STARTED Donor advised funds are easy to establish and enable you, the donor advisor, to retain the privilege of making charitable grant recommendations.

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2

As years pass, and family members age, a DAF can also be a valuable tool in creating a philanthropic estate plan.

Donors may recommend grants during their lifetime through their DAF. They may also recommend grants to be made upon their deaths – either liquidating the fund entirely or creating an endowment fund in their names.

Donors may designate successor advisors, often family members, giving their heirs the privilege to make grant recommendations of their own choice. The next generation then carries on the family’s value of philanthropy.

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4

5

A donor advised fund may be funded with gifts of cash, securities, or other property.

The donor recommends grants from the fund to qualified public charities.

The Federation verifies the tax status of the grantee organization.

The Federation invests and administers the fund’s assets, processes recommendations, mails checks to the recipient organizations and reports to the donor advisor.

Online tools make accounts accessible at all times, providing record of current and past philanthropic giving.

MEET ALAN GROSS For assistance in setting up a DAF, contact Alan Gross at 216-593-2818 or agross@jcfcleve.org.

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LEFT TO RIGHT: MARY SANDERS, HARRY BLUM AND JOE SANDERS

Celebrating

BY CAROL WOLF

THE LIFE OF HARRY BLUM

Y

ou probably didn’t know Harry Blum z”l.

He wasn’t famous or exceptionally wealthy, but his generosity will make a difference in our community for years to come.

Harry understood the importance of tzedakah during his lifetime and gave generously to Jewish and general charities. But he did more – he also created a lasting Jewish legacy during his lifetime. With a Charitable Gift Annuity at the Federation, Harry received guaranteed income for the rest of his life and his legacy lives on with the Harry Blum Memorial Endowment Fund, the result of his gift annuity.

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“His legacy lives on in the lives of the people he touched, including me.”

HARRY’S STORY Harry was 95 years old when he died peacefully on December 16, 2015, in the Mentor home of Mary and Joe Sanders, his adopted family – best friends with whom he had lived for the last 24 years.

“Harry was a real mensch” shared Joe. “He inspired us and everyone who knew him to think of others, be grateful­, and give back to the community.”

Born and raised in Cleveland, Harry graduated from The Ohio State University, then served in France and Germany during World War II. He survived the Battle of the Bulge and received the Bronze Star. During combat, Harry used his mathematical ability to figure the trajectory of shells, and while instructing others discovered that he loved teaching.

When he returned home, he earned a Master’s degree in Education from Western Reserve College and began his career in Cleveland’s public school system, starting out as a guidance counselor and ultimately serving as a Principal for nearly 30 years.

GIVING BACK Harry saw the disadvantages his students faced and wanted to continue helping them after retirement. He volunteered for over 20 years at the University Settlement, a neighborhood center that provides social services to residents of southeast Cleveland. He served in every capacity including Board Chair, pitching in with any activity that would help the kids. It was there that he met Mary Sanders, the Settlement Director, and a long friendship began with her entire family.

A JEWISH LENS Harry held Judaism and the value of tzedakah close to his heart. He taught religious school at The Temple Tifereth Israel, cherished his two trips to Israel, and gave generously to Federation’s Campaign for Jewish Needs.

I visited Harry in his home with the Sanders’ to thank him for his insightful legacy gift. Each year I shared how his gifts made a difference and explained how his gift annuity would support the community’s future through the Endowment Fund. He was happy to learn that by supporting the Campaign for Jewish Needs, he was supporting his beloved Cleveland school children through the Public Education Initiative and Winter Lunch Program.

HARRY’S LEGACY Harry wanted his tzedakah to extend beyond his lifetime, and for him the best choice was the Charitable Gift Annuity (see side bar for details).

In addition, his gift to the Federation’s Endowment Fund will continue to support the Jewish and general community that he loved in Cleveland, Israel, and around the world.

Harry’s legacy lives on in the lives of the people he touched, including me.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY How Does It Work?

Making a Charitable Gift Annuity is simple. In exchange for your irrevocable transfer of cash or marketable securities worth a minimum of $5,000, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland will pay you and/or your designated beneficiary a fixed annual income for life.

• The payment rate depends upon the age of the beneficiary at the time of the transfer.

• The older you are at the time of the gift, the greater the fixed income received.

• Payments can be received annually, semi-annually, or quarterly.

Gift Annuity Interest Rates* AGE

INTEREST RATE

74

5.7%

78

6.4%

82

7.2%

84

7.6%

88

8.4%

90+

9.0%

* American Council on Gift Annuities, as of 12/11/15

Upon your death or that of your designated beneficiary, an unrestricted endowment fund at the Federation is created in your name, or in honor of or in memory of a loved one.

MEET CAROL WOLF For more information, contact Carol F. Wolf at 216-593-2805 or cwolf@jcfcleve.org.

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THE

TOP FIVE WAYS 1

How does it work?

CHARITABLE BEQUEST

RETIREMENT ASSETS

Your trust or will is an important element of your estate plan; it enables you to protect the people you love, create a lasting partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and ensure the future of the Jewish community.

When you designate the Jewish Federation of Cleveland as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, you create a legacy that enables the Federation to support the Jewish future in Cleveland and around the world.

You may designate the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in your estate planning documents. You may specify a dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate.

You notify your plan administrator of your desire to name the Jewish Federation of Cleveland as a full or partial beneficiary of your retirement assets and complete a change of beneficiary form.

What are the benefits?

All gifts entitle you to membership in Federation’s Legacy Society.

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You invest in the future of the Jewish community.

Your retirement assets are a taxwise asset to use for charitable giving as they could be subject to both estate tax at the time of your death and income tax when distributed to beneficiaries.

This material is presented for informative purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or

MEET THE TEAM 12

STEVE HOFFMAN

HEDY MILGROM

ALAN GROSS

MATT KALIFF

216-593-2900

216-593-2850

216-593-2818

216-593-2831

TO CREATE A

JEWISH LEGACY 3

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

A donor advised philanthropic fund is a named fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in which you, as the donor advisor, retain the privilege to make recommendations for charitable grants from the fund.

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LIFE INSURANCE

Life insurance – an innovative way to perpetuate your legacy for the Jewish community.

5

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY A charitable gift annuity enables you to contribute to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the community, and at the same time enjoy a fixed annual income.

You donate cash, securities, or other property to the Federation to establish the fund. You may recommend grants to qualified public charities at any time.

Life insurance can be used to fund a charitable gift to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, permitting you to make a substantial legacy gift for a relatively modest outlay.

A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland that provides you and/or your designated beneficiary with a guaranteed annual income for life, while creating a permanent legacy.

The Federation invests the assets, allowing you to recommend grants from principal and income. You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for all donations to the fund.

A gift of life insurance is easy to arrange and administer. You may be able to make a more significant gift than might otherwise have been possible.

You can provide immediate and guaranteed income for yourself, a spouse, child, or other individual.

(Gift annuities for persons other than you or your spouse may have gift tax and capital gains tax consequences.)

financial advice. When considering gift planning strategies, you should always consult with your own legal, tax, or financial advisors.

Contact any member of our team for a confidential conversation about these or other vehicles.

ANN GARSON

CAROL WOLF

MICHAEL COLE

ELIZABETH KLEIN

216-593-2814

216-593-2805

216-593-2795

216-593-2835 13

The Art of Giving: A LEGACY SOCIETY THANK YOU EVENT

T

he Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Legacy Society celebrated the art of giving at a special thank you event, recognizing their contribution to our community’s future.

Guests gathered for a private reception and gallery talk, featuring curator Trudy Weisenberger, discussing Israeli artist Shai Azoulay’s “One Hour a Day” exhibit at our Roe Green Gallery.

Ellie and Steve Kushnick admire art work from the Shai Azoulay exhibit “One Hour a Day”

Wiesenberger said, “Shai’s work is so strong, real, honest, and approachable. What I love best is after looking at the whole painting there are little jewels, little vignettes, little paintings within the larger painting. That’s what makes it great art, every time you go back to it there’s something new.”

Similarly, Endowment donors are our community’s jewels, ensuring our community will shine for future generations.

Thank you to our Legacy Society!

Curator Trudy Weisenberger discusses the exhibit with guests Guests enjoy a beautiful evening

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Sally Isenstadt and Barbara Wain greet each other with smiles.

Annette Lusher and Stanley Blum smile for the camera.

Jan Borstein and Loretta Borstein enjoy the evening events.

Marilyn Cagin and Bill Hart stop to say hello.

Marcia Wexberg connects with other Legacy Society members.

WHEN YOU INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, YOU SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

todah!

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Excerpts ENDOWMENT “

FROM THE

Book of Life

L’dor V’dor. (From Generation to

Generation) Today we recognize the multi-faceted support of Federation programs that have enriched the lives of six generations of our family beginning with ”our immigrant great grandparents...

ROBERTA & DR. RICHARD KATZMAN

“ Both of us were raised in homes

being Jewish was central to our identity, our

in which

obligation to help Jews in Cleveland and around the world was paramount, and unrelenting support of Israel was a given... ” HEDY AND DAVID ADLER

“ I am making this legacy gift today to promote my priorities for the future.

I want to ensure that Cleveland’s

vibrant and financially secure. Our Jewish institutions remain

community is special, and has made me

feel at home since I moved here in 2001...”

STEPHEN A. MONTO 16

THE ENDOWMENT BOOK OF LIFE IS A COLLECTION OF PERSONAL STATEMENTS written by donors who have made commitments of $100,000 or more to the Federation’s Endowment Funds. Donors are given the opportunity to sign their statements during the Legacy event. The Endowment Book of Life is on permanent display at the Federation’s Mandel Building. Video statements may be viewed online at www.jewishclevelandgifts.org

“Rather than leaving instructions in a

see our legacy doing some good while we

will, we want to

are alive. We believe establishing the Scholnick Family Foundation is the best way to achieve our goals.... ” DIANE AND HARVEY SCHOLNICK

“ Our endowment contribution is inspired by our conviction to Jewish continuity

strength and wisdom of collective giving, and in recognition of worldwide, our belief in the

the Cleveland Jewish community’s

CONNIE AND NEIL WAXMAN AND SON, PETER

considerable role in shaping our family’s own personal Jewish lives... ”

“ Bequeathing a legacy is an affirmation of our roots and our wings. The gift grounds us with our parents and grandparents in a tradition that values tzedakah. The giving allows our children to hope that their dreams are visions for .”

future generations

IDELLE AND DR. ABE WOLF AND SON, ADAM 17

DID YOU KNOW?

extraodinary RUTH BEGUN THE

WHO WAS RUTH BEGUN?

Ruth Begun was no ordinary woman. Born in Germany in 1912, she studied physics at the University of Berlin with Albert Einstein and immigrated to the United States with her soon-to-be husband, Semi, in 1937. They married one year later and settled in Cleveland where she worked at NASA Glen Research Center as co-developer of the spacecraft engine. He was an inventor of note, recognized in the Inventors Hall of Fame. Together, through their private foundation, they would leave a legacy beyond their scientific achievements, creating the Society for Prevention of Violence in 1972 and ultimately establishing the Semi J. and Ruth W. Begun Foundation, a supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, before her death at age 102.

SEMI J. AND RUTH W. BEGUN FOUNDATION “When you run a private foundation, you file the tax returns, maintain the checkbooks, and manage all the business of that foundation,” explained Hedy Milgrom, Chief Development Officer at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, “But when your foundation is a Supporting Foundation of the Federation, we do that business for you, with donor intent at the heart of the decision-making.”

After Semi passed away, and with no children as their heirs, Ruth started thinking about how her legacy would continue. She entrusted the Federation to carry that legacy forward. “She knew that her philanthropic goals and interests would be maintained with us,” said Milgrom.

The Federation works with Jewish community members whose philanthropic interests include and extend beyond the Jewish community.

Through the Federation, Ruth was exposed to new opportunities in which her Foundation could make great impact.

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MAKING IMPACT Ruth believed that if children at a young age learned to be nice to each other, there would be less violence in society. Working with Sally Wertheim and John Carroll University, she built an entire curriculum around this idea. In fact, her curriculum was being used in pre-schools and elementary schools as part of violence prevention programming.

Although Ruth had been focused on local needs, her sister-in-law, Henrietta – who had her own Foundation – was investing in violence prevention programs that used Ruth’s curriculum in Be’er Sheva, Israel. Ruth knew of its success.

When the Federation hosted Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv, who came to speak to potential funders about the work of the Tel Aviv Foundation, Ruth attended. She spoke to the Mayor about the success of Henrietta’s investment in schools in Be’er Sheva and she wanted to expand the good work in Israel. He agreed.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING Working together, the Federation and the Begun Foundation partnered with the Tel Aviv Foundation to bring her innovative violence prevention programming to the Amiel-Rambam School.

Here’s what happened: not only did the preschool children show improved behaviors in the classroom, but the parents started calling the school saying they had seen changes in the children at home. The children who often ate alone in front of the television were suddenly asking to have family meals and practice eating at the table with their family. The parents said that it had improved their family dynamic as they were now sharing family meals together.

The program expanded to another school. It was no ordinary school – just as Ruth was no ordinary woman.

The Bialik-Rogozen School in south central Tel Aviv was a K-12 educational campus of 750+ atrisk youth. It was known as one of Israel’s most culturally diverse, with students representing forty-eight different countries. Many arrived to the school fleeing poverty, political adversity, or even genocide.

Ruth’s violence prevention programming gave them common ground, a way to relate to one another, and its success was extraordinary.

HER LEGACY LIVES ON As Ruth’s health declined, she moved to live with her nephew Allan Steinhardt in Virginia. He became increasingly involved with the Begun Foundation, and today is the President.

“Allan works with us to ensure that Ruth’s initial goal of creating a just society without violence is held true,” said Milgrom. “We were able to work with Ruth in a trusted relationship. We developed an understanding so she knew that we would be able to grow the goodwill she left to the world.”

EXAMPLES OF GRANTS MADE

BY THE BEGUN FOUNDATION AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR TEL AVIV FOUNDATION INC. Support for Social Skills Programing in two schools in Tel Aviv CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY Support for the Begun Center for Violence Prevention at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences FAMILY PRESERVATION AND STRENGTHENING SERVICES (VIRGINIA) Support for Stabilizing Families: Ending the Cycle of Domestic Violence JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND Support for Youth Futures–Beit Shean and United Way WrapAround Services 2016 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Support for Study in Bullying Prevention

MEET HEDY MILGROM For more information, contact Hedy Milgrom at 216-593-2850 or hmilgrom@jcfcleve.org.

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ENDOWMENT FUND FAST FACTS 20

We were the first Federation in the country to create an Endowment Fund. Today, we have one of the leading programs in North America.

Endowment Fund resources are used for the community’s benefit. For example, we support innovation, developing new ideas, and groundbreaking programming.

Originally created as a safety net, Endowment Fund gifts represent a commitment to the health and welfare of our Jewish community and provide security for future generations.

In times of crisis, resources are used to make emergency grants to assist victims of natural disasters and terror attacks, and for humanitarian aid in the United States, Israel, and around the world.

Spotlight On

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AT WORK

Q&A

WITH RABBI MELINDA MERSACK, DIRECTOR OF JHUB

A

ccording to our population study, 38% of Jewish Cleveland married households are interfaith and the majority of those who consider themselves interfaith want to feel connected to their Jewish roots. That’s why we partnered with the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC) to launch jHub, an innovative new program made possible with a grant from the Federation’s Endowment Fund.

Rabbi Melinda Mersack, who leads jHub, speaks about her experience connecting with Cleveland’s interfaith families through Jewish traditions and holidays like Rosh Hashanah in this Q&A. Check it out!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE? I am a resource to all things Jewish in Cleveland, no matter who you are; and especially for jHUB’s interfaith families. I’m here for individuals and families in whatever capacity they need me. I’m here to support each interfaith family on their individual journey.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT jHUB? jHUB was created a little more than a year ago.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland recognized that a large percentage of our community was

part of an interfaith family, and many of these families were seeking a connection to Jewish life and culture. So, the Federation and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC) partnered and created jHUB, connecting interfaith families to Jewish life in Greater Cleveland, and to each other.

We do it all! There is no one person or family that’s just like another. So we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We offer social gatherings, holiday experiences, and Jewish learning in a supportive, welcoming environment. We listen and respond to the interests of our families.

WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS YOU’VE DONE THIS PAST YEAR? That’s easy, Seder in a Box! People loved it! We sent an email through the Federation inviting interfaith families to register for a free Passover gift. Before we knew it 300 families signed up, and each of them received a box with holiday recipes, games, a seder plate, a Haggadah– that’s the story of Passover recited during the Seder meal. Just like that they had all that they needed to celebrate Passover in their homes.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR? We are off to a great start! For the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, jHUB families met at the beach and it was beautiful! People of all ages, grandparents, young couples, children, everyone came. We sang songs, shared stories, and ate apples and honey, of course. But what was really meaningful was the opportunity to reflect on the past year together. We talked about how our actions, our words, how we react, affect one another. We recognized that we’re all connected. Together, we stood on the sands of the beach, the seagulls flying overhead, and we threw bread crumbs, representing our mistakes, into the water, symbolically washing them away. It may be the first time that some of these families have practiced Tashlich together. It was a wonderful way to come together as a community.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT jHUB? It’s an amazing feeling to help families experience the beauty of Judaism on their own terms. And meeting new people is a real blessing.

CONTACT RABBI MELINDA MERSACK If you or someone you know is looking to connect with Jewish life and culture in Cleveland, or with interfaith families, call at 216-371-0446, or email at MMersack@jecc.org.

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PENNY GREENBERGER

THIS IS MY LEGACY:

In my own words THE BEST PART OF BEING BORN AND RAISED IN CLEVELAND IS MY DEEP SENSE OF GENERATIONAL ATTACHMENT TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS SET AN EXAMPLE FOR ME TO GIVE GENEROUSLY OF TIME, TALENT, AND RESOURCES. MY COMMITMENT OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO BE A JEWISH PHILANTHROPIST.

“Leaving my legacy is what I value most.”

It is with such pride that my husband Bob and I continue the legacy of tzedakah. I’m thrilled to see my three children: Abbie, Jordan, and Josh carry on the same Jewish values and traditions with their families. I owe a million thanks to my parents Eleanor and Harry Schwartz for trusting me to make my own decisions.

After a lifetime of either working or volunteering in the Jewish and general community, I have the utmost confidence and faith that the Federation will utilize these funds to the maximum potential. I am proud to be able to make a difference in the Campaign for Jewish needs as a Lion-level donor.

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LION OF JUDAH

“I care about the future of Cleveland’s Jewish community.”

I’ve always felt the Federation has its pulse on the needs in the community and abroad. Therefore, this Lion Endowment is a way for me to ensure the success of the programs and services in perpetuity. After carefully discussing this with our financial planner I am happy that we were able to work together with Federation staff to make this legacy gift come to fruition.

My advice for someone considering leaving a legacy gift is to talk with the professionals they work with and also contact the Federation staff. They can provide you with the many options available so your gift can perpetuate beyond your lifetime. Leaving a lasting legacy is one of the things I value the most.

ENDOWMENT Thank you to the women who have perpetuated annual campaign gifts by creating a Lion of Judah endowment.

Terry Adelman

Carol Lader

Karen B. Altschul

Fran Lasky

Beth Wain Brandon

Sandra Lipman

Loretta R. Borstein in Memory of Jerome Borstein

The Marianna Luxenberg Lion of Judah Endowment in Memory of Herbert Luxenberg

Marilyn B. Cagin Florence Chelm

Lois Marcus

Reneé Chelm

Barbara Meckler

Nan Cohen Bernice Sapirstein Davis

Cathy Randall

Jane Friedman

Susan Rubin

Mady Friedman

Evie Safran

Beverly Gans

Eileen W. Sill

Peggy Garson Eleanor Gerson* Holly B. Gertman* Adrienne Goldberg Toby Goldfinger

Interested in creating a Lion of Judah endowment? Contact Elizabeth Klein at 216-593-2835 or eklein@jcfcleve.org.

All inquiries are confidential.

Marjorie H. Stonehill* Peggy Gries Wager Nina Wain* Betty Weintraub Trudy Wiesenberger

Roe Green Penny Greenberger

Judy Klein Willensky Sandra Wuliger Dara G. Yanowitz

Anita Heller Ann Nickman Jacobson* Suellen Kadis

Karen Lipman Steiger

Judith Weiss

Tamra F. Gould

Erica Hartman-Horvitz

MEET ELIZABETH KLEIN

Anne Miller* Shari S. Perlmuter

Lois J. Davis

Francine M. Gordon

* Lions of Judah are women who make individual gifts of $5,000 or more to the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.

Cookie Marcus

Donna Yanowitz Anonymous (2)

* of blessed memory

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Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building 25701 Science Park Drive Cleveland, Ohio 44122-7302

IRA Charitable Rollover Benefit Now Permanent We are pleased to inform you that the newly enacted federal legislation permits the use of tax neutral Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) Charitable Rollover distributions to the Federation or other qualified charities retroactively for 2015 and makes this benefit permanent. For more information, including a list of qualifications: MEET MATT KALIFF For more information about IRA Charitable Rollover Benefits contact Matt Kaliff, Assistant Director for Endowment Development

Phone 216-593-2831

Email mkaliff@jcfcleve.org

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland (license # CH22328) is registered to solicit charitable donations within Florida and provides disclosure as required by Chapter 496 of the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act as follows: “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.”