The following is a reprint of the JCF's Money Matters column, published in the February 22, 2023 issue of the Jewish Community Voice:
How much does our Southern New Jersey Jewish community mean to former residents who no longer reside in SNJ full time?
For the answer, let’s look to Florida.
For the 26th year, the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. and the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey will visit the Sunshine State for the annual Florida Reunion.
Yes, for the past quarter of a century, members of our Jewish community who either spend the winter in Florida or who have moved there permanently have welcomed representatives of the JCF and Federation for a visit with open arms.
Clearly, this Jewish community can have such a lasting, positive impact on so many community members that they still consider South Jersey to be “home,” even if they no longer live here year-round or at all. As a representative of the JCF and the Federation, I am honored by this continuing love and support by so many, regardless of their mailing address.
To keep our Florida donors informed of the latest JCF, Federation, and agency happenings, a small crew of lay leaders and professionals— including JCF CEO Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, JCF President Robert Elias, and myself— will attend the Florida Reunion and provide updates about many of the exciting new and ongoing initiatives happening “back home” in SNJ. We welcome questions, discussions, and feedback from everybody we meet with during the trip.
This year, we will host multiple memorable events, including an invitation-only dinner on February 27, a complimentary happy hour for donors to the JCF or Federation on the 28th, a day trip to the Society of the Four Arts and lunch at TooJay’s in Palm Beach on Mar. 2, and a luncheon for our Lions of Judah donors on Mar. 3.
If you will be in Florida during this bustling week, please consider joining us for one or more of these events. It would be great to see you!
The JCF is excited, too, that a big focus of the reunion is on endowment funds and leaving legacy gifts, which are topics at the heart of what our agency does to support the SNJ Jewish community.
When a donor like you supports endowment funds to benefit the Federation or any Jewish organization in SNJ, it’s a commitment to the future. By creating your Jewish legacy, you will ensure that annual income will be received by the beneficiary organization of your choosing. Many of our Florida-based donors have created endowment funds in their name already or have plans to do so built into their estate, either via a gift in their will, life insurance, IRA, or other vehicle.
Shining examples of this generosity and foresight are Lions of Judah donors who have already or have committed to endowing their annual gift to JFund. Nearly 40 women have a Lion of Judah Endowment, with one of them being Lori Goldstein. In December, Lori was recognized as the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipient from SNJ. She will be celebrated by fellow Lions of Judah at the March 3 luncheon. We thank Lori and all of the Lions of Judah who not only give generously every year to JFund, but also recognize the importance of ensuring their gift continues for many future generations.
If you would like to learn more about the Florida Reunion, please visit jewishsouthjersey.org/floridareunion or contact Mike Staff at (856) 673-2528 or mstaff@jfedsnj.org.
Further, to discuss how you can endow your support of the Federation or any organization that makes this Jewish community special, please contact me today. Whether you’re here in South Jersey or keeping warm in South Florida, your legacy can help so many.