The Jewish Community Foundation of St. Louis

"Through their actions, my parents and grandparents taught me the importance of civic responsibility and philanthropy, and I've set a similar example for my children. Establishing a Supporting Foundation allowed me to be sure that the well-being of the Jewish community remains a family priority, even when I'm no longer around. I appointed my daughter its president, and someday, she may pass that responsibility to her children. My parents and their parents would be honored to know that their values have become a family tradition."

- Ken Kranzberg & Family

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"When we are needed, we want to be there. For our sons. For our community. For Israel. For the Jewish people. We want to be there for them always.

So, we established a Charitable Remainder Unitrust through The Jewish Community Foundation. Unlike the appreciated securities we gifted, our trust pays an income. We used a portion of it to purchase life insurance with our sons as beneficiaries. It's a win-win situation. Our children will be provided for, our estate will save on taxes and our community will receive a significant endowment. We sleep better at night knowing that."

- Leslie & Michael Litwack

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"We inherited from our mothers and grandmothers something more valuable than gold and diamonds. We inherited their strength of character, their independence and their commitment to the global Jewish community.

The three of us have different life experiences, different circumstances, different perspectives. But are bound together by our belief that as women, we should contribute our just share...now...and forever.

And so we wear our Lion of Judah pins proudly to show the world how much we care. Each has an attached Or l'Atid - flame of the future - a symbol of the endowments we have established to ensure that the community will continue to receive our support for generations to come. Someday, when we bequeath the pins to daughters and granddaughters, they will know that the values they represent are worth much more than their weight in gold."

- Shana Singer, Galia Movitz & Marlene Isaacs

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"Young leaders in our community are still talking about my parents - a couple they never knew. Afterall, my parents died long before today's young leaders were even born.

But their names - David N. and Roselin Grosberg - live on in perpetuity because my uncle established an endowment that pays for two promising young leaders to participate in the leadership training opportunity of their choosing. They are also nationally recognized at the General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities.

When my uncle died, he bequeathed to me responsibility for maintaining the fund. I've taken that responsibility seriously, increasing the principal so that its income can keep pace with increased program costs. I am proud that so many of today's leaders are past recipients of the Grosberg Award, and I am honored to be the guardian of a legacy that recognizes leadership in my parents' names."

- Peggy Ross & Daughter

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"As a financial advisor, I meet with clients wanting to discuss the transfer of their wealth to the next generation. I always encourage them to also remember their favorite charities in their estate plans. Amazingly, most people don't think to do that.

I, for one, am not going to let my dedication to the community die with me. And having lost too many relatives and friends at a young age, I want to make provisions for my perpetual gift now.

I purchased a life insurance policy and named The Jewish Community Foundation its owner and beneficiary. I reimburse the Foundation for annual premiums paid on the policy, and receive a tax deduction each time. When I die, the proceeds will be used to establish a permanent, self-sustaining source of income for the community. No doubt, there will still be tremendous need after I'm gone. How cool is it that I'll be able to help repair the world even when I'm not physically in it anymore."

- Sherri Frank Weintrop

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"My life has been filled with blessings, too many to count. My dear Ilse. My loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And the good fortune of having been able to provide for all of them and for my community as well.

We have lived our lives conservatively so that we could give generously to the Jewish community. And we plan to keep on giving as long as we live and even when it's our time to go.

In our wills, Ilse and I have made provisions to bequest part of our estate to Jewish Federation - no strings attached. We figure the community has plenty of smart people who can decide how to use it well. Our only hope is that in our small way, we will have contributed to the unity and strength of the Jewish people. That's the best gift we can to give to our family, to our community and to those who come after us."

- Frank & Ilse Altman

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"In our minds, tzedakah is an obligation, not an option. So, we contribute a percentage of our income to charity each year. We like to make our contributions using appreciated stock, but that can be cumbersome when you support many organizations.

The answer, for us, was the establishment of a Philanthropic Fund. We treat it like a tzedakah bank account from which all of our charitable contributions are distributed - including our annual gift to Jewish Federation. We replenish our fund annually with one deposit of appreciated stock and enjoy significant tax savings.

The Jewish Community Foundation handles all of the administrative functions, which we find very helpful. What's more, we know that our charitable funds are secure with the Foundation until we authorize their distribution to the charities of our choosing."

- Dugie & Lisa Baron

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