Book of Life

The Endowment Book of Life, a legacy of giving

Today, Jewish life in Western Massachusetts is vibrant. It's our responsibility to ensure that it remains that way long into the future, to make sure our values, culture, and community continue to flourish for generations to come. Each of us plays a role in bringing that vision to life. Through the Create a Jewish Legacy program you can make an impact on the future of our Jewish community with your legacy gift.
The stories featured below are just a small sample of the many individuals and families who have invested in our Jewish future. Click the links to hear the stories directly from the donors. Join these individuals who share your passion and commitment to strengthen Jewish life in Western Massachusetts...with your legacy gifts, you are not only supporting your community, but will forever be a part of its legacy.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO SHARE.

The Jewish Endowment Foundation unveiled its new Book of Life in October 2013. It is composed of the stories of individuals who have taken the steps to provide for the continued health of our Jewish community by making a Create a Jewish Legacy commitment or establishing a fund at the Jewish Endowment Foundation. You can view some of those stories here.

To include your story, please submit a short personal statement (up to 150 words) and send it to us at Jewish Endowment Foundation, 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Guidelines for your statement can be downloaded here.

The Future of the Jewish Community Starts Today!
Learn how you can help ensure the future of our Jewish community with your commitment to "Create a Jewish Legacy." By taking the steps today to endow your gift to one or more local Jewish organizations you can invest in what you believe in.
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Peg Epstein
"It's always been on my mind that I had to do something.".
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Charlie Epstein
"I can write my check to any organization. It's the passion this organization (JEF) brings. It's the dedication. It's the commitment to the Jewish causes."
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Mordi Kamel
"For me it was a natural extension of my belief in the community."
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Paul Bloom
"After they're gone, their memory should linger somewhere for having ended up doing something for the community."
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Robert Marmor
"We are the minority and we need to have a strong Jewish community."
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Seymour Frankel
"I had a GI life insurance policy...and it had never been included in my estate plan."
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Sue Kline
"We love this community. We feel blessed that we raised a family here. I don't think you do things like that without saying thank you in some way."
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Alan Rosenfeld
"It's not just that you want the institutions to survive. You want them to survive with their missions in tact."
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Betsy Gaberman
"...If I'm not for others, what am I... If not now, when?"
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Sara Weinberger
"I've been thinking more and more about what is my purpose in this world and what am I going to leave that is going to surpass me? I felt like the Create a Jewish Legacy was a gift for me."
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Josh Grey
"It's the importance of being part of the community. Knowing who you are and knowing where you come from or having a vision of where you want to go and where you want the community to go and then being able to effect that change."
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