Legacy Giving

Are you a philanthropist? Yes, you are!

“Philanthropist” is a term that some may consider only for the very wealthy, the donors who make the news or whose names grace the buildings of charitable institutions. And while those major donors help make wonderful things happen in our community, we often forget that the definition of philanthropy is much more inclusive: “the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.”

Our congregation is filled with philanthropists – including YOU. Beth Am was built and has been sustained for 65 years by the gifts of time, talent and financial resources offered by our members. When each of us came here, we found a community and a campus filled with opportunities for us and for our families.  Now, it is our responsibility to ensure that the next 65 years are just as wonderful for the generations who are growing up now — or haven’t even been born yet.

What is a legacy gift? Legacy gifts are those, such as arranging a gift in your will or naming Beth Am as a partial beneficiary of a retirement account, which you have pre-arranged to go to Beth Am after your death. And legacy giving is for everyone, not just the very wealthy.

Judaism teaches us to accept that we are mortal, to make responsible preparations, and to be generous. Our traditions encourage us to make decisions that reflect our values and guide the generations that come after us. To ask questions about legacy giving, please contact Director of Development Mandy Eisner, (650) 493-4661, x211. You can also find helpful resources on our Legacy Giving webpage.