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Legacy Gifts for Beth Am Israel

We invite you to consider making Beth Am Israel a beneficiary of your retirement plan or estate plan.   Bequests and planned gifts – of any kind or amount – are a generous gift of future support for Beth Am, assuring our continuing ability to sustain generations of families in building meaningful and connected Jewish lives.

A planned gift to Beth Am Israel allows you to leave a gift in your will, trust, retirement plan, or other estate planning vehicle. A planned gift can be of any size.  Please print out these suggested planned giving options and share with your financial advisor or estate attorney.

Why Make a Planned Gift?

Jewish Wisdom tells us that giving tzedakah to benefit future generations is a mitzvah.  The story of Honi the Circle-Drawer makes this clear:
We have an obligation to invest in the future of the Jewish people, just as prior generations have invested in us. Your legacy can help ensure the vitality and longevity of our sacred community for the next generation.

HONI THE CIRCLE-DRAWER
ancient wisdom for today

One day, Honi was walking along his way when he saw a man planting a carob tree.  Honi said to him, “Now a carob tree does not bear fruit for 70 years. Are you sure that you will live 70 years and will eat from it?” The man said to Honi, “I found the world with carob trees.  Just as my ancestors planted for me so I plant for my offspring.”  —Mishna Taanit 23a

Honi the Circle-Drawer was a 1st century BCE scholar

How to Make or Consider a Planned Gift to BAI

  1. Speak with your estate planning attorney or financial advisor.
    Print a set of planned giving options as a starting point for your conversation.
  2. Put in place appropriate planned giving documents or language.
  3. Notify Beth Am Israel of your intended gift (optional).
    This is helpful to us in thanking you for your gift now, and in honoring you and expressing our appreciation to your family when your gift is made. Contact Lori Dafilou, Executive Director, at 610-667-1651 or executivedirector@bethamisrael.org.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact BAI member Kim V. Heyman, who is spearheading this effort, at kimvheyman@gmail.com.