A Gift that is paid Long into the Future
Joshua Shapiro with Heather Shapiro
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Last month I focused on our current fundraising efforts that will help provide much needed revenue for Rockdale’s near term budget and programs. This month, I ask you to join me and my family and, if you have not done so already, to consider a planned gift to Rockdale through the Create Your Jewish Legacy (“CYJL”) program.
A planned or legacy gift is one that is paid long into the future, usually after death through a will, trust, insurance, or retirement vehicle.
My wife, Heather, and I established our first estate plan shortly after getting married over 16 years ago and have modified it over the years as our family and savings have grown. The charitable aspect to our planning began as a default if none of our children survived us. The thought being that our estates should be there to provide for and protect family. But, as we have become more involved in the Cincinnati Jewish community over the years, that sentiment has slightly changed.
Through CYJL, Heather and I have made plans to leave a direct legacy to Rockdale Temple (in addition to Cedar Village and Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati). We believe our planning now properly protects our family and our charitable gift will not compromise that protection. Further, we felt that leaving a charitable bequest would set the proper example for our children to follow someday. We hope that they, too, will become involved in their Jewish communities and seek to ensure its viability. And finally, we chose Rockdale because we believe there is no better use of our charitable legacy than to secure the synagogue that has served as our Jewish home, place of sanctuary and community, and provided us with more joy and happiness than we could ever repay.
There are no age requirements nor estates or gifts too small. Actually, creating your planned gift may be as easy as modifying your beneficiary designation on your 401(k), IRA, or life insurance. If you have questions or would like to make a planned gift to Rockdale, please contact our CYJL co-chairs, Aaron Herzig and Sally Korkin, or our Executive Director, Gene Meyers. They will help you make this happen.
I hope that you will consider a legacy gift to Rockdale and help protect its very important mission for our children, grandchildren, and many generations to come. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president and I hope to see you soon.
