Since 2014, the Southern New Jersey Jewish community has been fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in the LIFE & LEGACY® initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
During this time, the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. has worked with 20 local organizations including the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and its family of agencies, synagogues, and day schools to promote legacy giving. Collectively, we are thrilled to have received hundreds of legacy gift commitments, thanks to the generosity of so many wonderful donors.
As a way to thank these legacy donors, the JCF hosted a LIFE & LEGACY Thank You Reception on Wednesday, November 15 in the evening, which featured local author and legacy donor Jayne Jacova Feld as a speaker. Jayne shared a few words about the importance and power of the legacy of her son, Ravi Bloom, who tragically lost his life at the age of 17 in 2021.
Ravi left a positive impact on all who met him, and now his legacy lives on through the Ravi Bloom Memorial Endowment Fund, which is managed by the JCF and pays out an annual award to a teen congregant at Congregation Kol Ami in Cherry Hill who exemplifies Ravi's best qualities.
JCF's LIFE & LEGACY Committee Chair Jodi Levine spoke about the importance of creating a Jewish legacy, including encouraging others to leave a legacy of their own. She then introduced her good friend Jayne. Following Jayne's speech, JCF President Andi Levin closed and thanked everybody for leaving a legacy and for attending the event.
The Sanders Board Room in the Jewish Federation Suite was filled with 30 legacy donors who absorbed Jayne's poignant message, and then heard more about her writing during the Katz JCC's Festival event, which featured Jayne, Pam Jenoff, and Carol Harkavy, all local authors.
The complimentary event was the first in-person LIFE & LEGACY program held by the JCF since before covid, making it all the more meaningful to gather together.
To learn more about LIFE & LEGACY, please contact any participating organization or the JCF at 856-673-2528 or infojcf@jfedsnj.org.