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Both of us care deeply about our community and believe it
deserves the very best. Although it has faced many challenges
over the years, the Toronto Jewish community has remained
vital and strong.
During our many combined years of active involvement in UJA
Federation and the United Synagogue Day School we learned
some very important lessons. In the early 1980s there wasn’t
a dollar to spare in the community budget. It was very frustrating
to be a member of the UJA Federation Budget and Finance Committee,
and to vet legitimate and appropriate requests from organizations
that were in desperate need of support and not be able to
help them. The money just wasn’t there. Basic programming
was compromised and opportunities to enhance or augment were
missed.
That experience taught us the importance of solid financial
resources and the importance of endowments in securing the
future for our community. To ensure it would be sustained
"from strength to strength", the financial cushion
of a community foundation made sense to us.
We chose the vehicle of an insurance policy to establish
our endowment fund. That way, we can make a far more significant
gift than would have been possible during our lifetimes. When
we initiated the policy none of our children were married
and we preferred to leave a gift outside of our estates, as
our own family’s future was still unknown.
As parents and grandparents we feel so good to be contributing
to our community’s future well being.
A healthy and innovative Jewish community is beneficial for
all, including our own grandchildren.
With adequate funding, the pursuit of excellence in social
and educational programs need not be compromised.
With love and pride, we maintain this responsibility in honour
of our children and grandchildren.
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