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| Alfred and Grete Hertz Bequests |
For nearly 35 years the symbol of elegance in women's fashion for western New England was Vogue & Vanity, with stores in Bennington and Williamstown, VT. Whether for a wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or other special occasion, women considered a Vogue & Vanity purchase a mark of distinction.
The creators of this rather remarkable success story were Alfred and Grete Hertz, German-Jewish refugees who emigrated to the United States in 1939 and found their way to Bennington in 1940. With borrowed funds, an initial, small space in the center of downtown Bennington, impeccable style and strong German accents, Alfred and Grete began what became the Vogue & Vanity story.
Long involved with the local Jewish community, the Hertzes shared the benefits of their success with Congregation Beth El. In 1949, Alfred and his friend and local businessman, Norman Greenberg, provided the funding to acquire the land and create the Congregation's Hebrew cemetery. After Alfred's death in 1978, Grete Hertz continued to live in Bennington during the warm weather months until her passing in 1991. As a final demonstration of her commitment to the community that provided her and her late husband with a safe haven from the Holocaust, Grete Hertz left Congregation Beth El with $250,000 in her will. This generous gift changed the nature of the congregation. Although in existence since 1909, and with its own sanctuary since 1923, the small size of the local Jewish community prevented the congregation from enjoying the benefits of a regular, full-time Rabbi and being affiliated with a Movement. Moreover, the beautiful sanctuary had fallen into disrepair. The gift of the Hertzes allowed the community to restore its building and to hire Rabbi Howard Cohen as its first full-time Rabbi in decades -- and to join the Reconstructionist movement. The membership grew and regular services and children's education returned to the Bennington community.
With the bequest still largely intact upon Rabbi Cohen's departure, Beth El has hired Rabbi Joshua Boettiger as his replacement, ensuring the continuation of the longest period in the Congregation's history with full-time rabbis in residence. Through the Hertzes' generosity, the congregation looks forward to its 100th anniversary, and to its future with hope and confidence.
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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