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Meryl and Neil joined B'nai Keshet in Montclair, N.J., 24 years ago, after they moved from New York to the "burbs." After they moved into their new home, they began searching for a synagogue to join that would embrace the values of Judaism that they believed were most important to them as a young couple and to their future as a family. Many weekends were spent attending services at a variety of shuls in their neighborhood and the surrounding communities. Although they enjoyed meeting new people and speaking to many of the rabbis, they came away with a sense that they were not being lifted spiritually.
Several months into their search, Meryl and Neil went to services at a Reconstructionist congregation in town, which was then being held in a non-descript office building, where they met rabbi, Joy Leavitt. The moment they walked in we felt a special connection. They loved the service, they met some warm and embracing congregants, and they had a great conversation with Rabbi Leavitt. Meryl and Neil read Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan's book a few weeks later to find what Reconstructionist Judaism was all about, went back to services a few more times, and then decided to join. They are proud to say it was a great choice.
B'nai Keshet has been their home away from home for so many years. Through the many travails of moving from building to building and from church to church, before raising enough money to buy a building for their school and then building a new synagogue, B'nai Keshet has been an important cornerstone in their lives. They have met incredible people who have become life-long friends; their children received a good education through the school system, and we have been a part of a temple whose members retain the same Tikkun Olam values that Meryl and Neil embrace as a family.
This past August, Meryl and Neil decided that their wills were due to be updated. While we went through the usual check-list of who the executors and trustees should be, they decided they also wanted to add B'nai Keshet as a beneficiary. Since B'nai Keshet has meant so much to them over the last 24 years, it seemed natural that they should give something back to support the many programs that they have enjoyed in the past and look forward to enjoying in the future. Their hope is that they, along with other families at B'nai Keshet, give back enough through their wills, trusts, estate planning, etc... so that the congregation's future remains bright and that other families can reap the benefits of long range planned giving.
You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.
You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have them contact Dan Cedarbaum at phone number 847-492-5200 or e-mail us at dcedarbaum@jrf.org.
Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
1. Bequest of cash
"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Jewish Reconstructionist Federation of Evanston, IL."
2. Bequest of a percent of the estate
"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Evanston, IL."
3. Contingent Bequest
"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Evanston, IL."
You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. Voice of a Legacy or Will Your Will be Known.
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