MAKING THE CHOICE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

By Jo Strausz Rosen

Last year, Rabbi Polter, JSL community chaplain came to me to tell me he met someone special during his chaplaincy visits, someone he thought would consider leaving a bequest to the JSL Foundation. I immediately contacted the donor and left a message. When I didn’t hear back, I called again and asked Rabbi Polter to remind the gentleman I wanted to meet with him. I wrote him a letter, I emailed him… but sadly, he had taken ill and passed away – but not before he went to his attorney to finalize his charitable wishes. We subsequently learned that this generous and humble man liked his visits with Rabbi Polter so much, that he left JSL a windfall.

Charitable bequests are making a difference now and for future generations. Most people spend just a few hours planning the distribution of assets which took an entire lifetime to acquire. But a little more planning now can go a long way later – and it doesn’t have to be complicated. A small amount of effort can ensure that your hard-earned assets are ultimately given to the causes and people most important to you.

A bequest is a planned distribution from your estate. It’s a simple and effective way to leave behind a legacy to benefit Jewish Senior Life and its residential communities. It will help provide a future for older adults. If you are interested in adding a bequest to your will, please talk with your legal advisor:

“I give, devise and bequeath to the JSL Foundation (a 501(c)(3) supporting organization of Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit – Tax ID #38-269 3397) the sum of $__________ or the following described property _______________ or ________% of my estate or the residue of my estate, for its general purposes.”

Thank you for considering defining your legacy in this important way. Donors who take time to ensure support for our efforts to celebrate life at JSL are champions to our agency. By including JSL Foundation as a beneficiary in various types of gift arrangements from wills to retirement plans, you too can be a champion for our residents!

You can enrich the lives of older adults by including JSL Foundation in your plans. Check out this link to our website for more details https://jslmi.org/planned-giving

Shabbat Shalom