IN FINANCE
current family obligations, designating part of your retirement plan or a life insurance policy to JFD in the future requires little or no cash outlay today and does a world of good tomorrow. Creating a legacy that benefits our Delaware Jewish community will have a profound impact on our community's ability to continue its mission and advance Jewish values in our community and beyond, well into the future. It also provides relief in future years from the painstaking effort of annual fundraising since you are “paying it forward” by providing future funds. Your legacy gift can be for general purposes or directed toward a particular project/need. Thank you to those who finalized their commitment through the Create a Jewish Legacy program. For those who have not yet finalized their intent or wish to create a legacy through our new Delaware community Life and Legacy program, please contact Legacy@ShalomDel.org. About the Author: JORDON ROSEN is a retired certified public accountant focusing on estate and legacy planning. He is a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and is treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Delaware.
The Power to Secure a Jewish Future BY JORDON ROSEN
“Antisemitism is a light sleeper.” Read that again. “Antisemitism is a light sleeper.” – Irish writer Conor Cruise O’Brien The war between Israel and Hamas may be winding down, or even over, but—unlike the physical damage sustained by missiles which can quickly be restored—the emotional and reputational damage inflicted on the Jewish people and Israel will linger for decades. This is nothing new. We’ve been there. But yesterday is not today and it is not tomorrow. Our tomorrow will be influenced in many ways by what we do today. And if we want to see a change tomorrow, we need to change the narrative today. Not just how the world sees us, but how we see ourselves, both tomorrow and in the next millennium. It will take our collective agency to secure not just a safer tomorrow, but a tomorrow which ensures the continuity of Jewish life and values along with a prosperous Israel. That collective agency begins with our individual commitment to bring about the tomorrow we want to see. It all begins with your personal values. What are they and how do you want to pass them on? "I found a fruitful world, because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise, I am planting for future generations." – Talmud Ta’anit 23a This is where each of us can help secure a Jewish future for the next generation and beyond by considering a legacy gift benefiting Jewish Federation of Delaware (JFD), its beneficiary agencies and partners, and the larger Delaware Jewish community. Legacy planning is defined as a gift by will (or other vehicle) of money or other personal property which is transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor. From a financial perspective, this is accurate. But to leave a true legacy, one must pass along financial “value,” with “values.” In other words, what are the moral, religious, social, or business values for which you want to see these funds stand and be used? What are the values you want to pass along and how do you want to be remembered? This will be your legacy. Many planned charitable giving techniques that are available during your lifetime can also be incorporated into your estate planning documents. This can include designating a gift of cash, securities, real estate, or a life insurance policy into your estate planning documents. You can create a fund today that will payout to charity during your lifetime, as well as after your death (the gift that keeps on giving). You can also designate a specific organization, such as JFD, as a beneficiary of a portion of your IRA or employer retirement account. If you are young with
Be remembered forever with a gift to Jewish Federation of Delaware in your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy. It's easier than you think! Contact Legacy@ShalomDel.org or 302.427.2100 to learn how to create your legacy. It's not just charity, it's continuity. It's love made permanent. *Seek advice from a financial advisor, attorney, or tax professional to discuss your personal situation.
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MARCH 2026 | JEWISH LIVING DELAWARE | ShalomDelaware.org
ShalomDelaware.org | JEWISH LIVING DELAWARE | MARCH 2026
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