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Life & Legacy

LIFE & LEGACY®

LIFE & LEGACY is a four-year partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation The LIFE & LEGACY logothat assists communities across North America to promote after-lifetime giving to endowments to benefit local Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service organizations and other Jewish entities. Temple Beth Emeth is a part of this unique alliance with ten additional organizations in the Ann Arbor Jewish community. 

LIFE & LEGACY: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are endowments important? Philanthropic advisors state: If 20% of your operating budget is not coming from your endowments by 2030, then your organization will be in fiscal crisis. $1 million in our endowments would generate approximately $50,000 to our operating budget. 

2. What is the difference between endowments and expendable funds?

  • LIFE & LEGACY gifts are earmarked for TBE’s L’Dor V’Dor Endowment. This fund is invested with the Jewish Community Foundation of Ann Arbor. Each year a percentage, typically 5%, is drawn out to offset TBE operating expenses. The principal remains untouched to grow over time. Income earned over 5% is re-invested in the fund.
  • Expendable funds, like the Rabbi and Cantor’s discretionary funds and the Members Helping Members fund, are used to support expenses that are not allocated in the budget. The dollars in these funds are not invested and are available immediately to cover expenses.

3. What are some of the ways I can make a legacy gift to TBE?

  • Gift (bequest) in will or trust
  • Percentage of retirement account – 401(k) or IRA
  • Percentage of life insurance policy
  • A legacy gift costs nothing now yet gives you the satisfaction of knowing you have provided for Temple Beth Emeth in the future.

4. What are the next steps?

  • Think about what TBE means to you and how you can ensure our financial stability in the future.
  • Talk with your financial advisor and/or attorney about the best way for you to make a legacy gift.
  • Complete the Letter of Intent form (below) and return to Shannon Hall at the TBE office: 2309 Packard Street, Ann Arbor 48104

Letter of Intent Form

Download the LIFE & LEGACY Letter of Intent Form HERE.

Confirmation of Gift Form

Download the LIFE & LEGACY Confirmation of Gift Form HERE.

LIFE & LEGACY Program Overview

Overview - PowerPoint

Overview - PDF

Donor List

Anonymous (6)
Mae Axelrood (z"l)
Laurie and Jeff Barnett
Sandra Berman
Jesse Bernstein
Jack Billi and Sheryl Hirsch
Charles (z"l) and Irene Butter
Harriet & Gary Charson
Ronald and Stephanie Chervin
Alan and Bette Cotzin
Sheila Deskins
Ann S. Epstein
Annette Frank Fisch
Susan R. Fisher
Judith and Paul Freedman
Bruce Friedman and Hillary Murt
James and Trina Fuller
Nanette Gill
Terri Ginsburg & Jeffrey Spoon
David and Susan Lockett Gitterman
Rachel Lipson Glick
Ed and Mona Goldman
Hillary Handwerger, z”l
Ken Handwerger
Rebecca and Fred Hankin
Margaret and David Hannon
Susan Harris, z”l
Cantor Regina and Mr. Avishay Hayut
Bobbi and David Heilveil
Richard and Lesley Hume
Ralph Katz and Deborah Scott Katz
Marc L. Kessler
Mark Kolins and Maria Abrahamsen
Ted and Wendy Lawrence
Judie and Jerry Lax

Donald and Julia Levitt
Arthur and Karen Lindenberg
Robin and Rod Little
Marty and Kathy Ludington
Andrea Ludwig, z”l
Nancy and Phil (z"l) Margolis
Betsy Yvonne Mark
Jack and Cathy Marshall
Ed Stein and Pat McCune
Jerry and Emily Miller
Newell and Myrna (z"l) Miller
Bruce and Gayle Moyer
Sharon and Chuck Newman
Marylen S. Oberman, Ph. D.
Mark and Susan Orringer
William and JoAnn Parkus
Edwin and Susan Pear
Ruth Schumacher Petit
Robin and Joe Pollak
Sue Rauschl and Elaine Yeglic
Mali Resnik
Steve and Kathy Rhodes
Cantor Annie Rose
Howard and Lisa Saulles
Matthew Shapiro and Susan Garetz
Ronnie L. Shapiro
Miriam Shaw
Rhonda and Stuart Simon
Arthur and Elizabeth Solomon
June Swartz
Eva E. Taylor, z”l
Fredda Unangst
Lora Vatalaro
Laura A. Wallace
Martha Weintraub & Peter Smith
Rabbi Josh and Sarah Whinston 

*z”l is an abbreviation for a zichronah livracha
which means of blessed memory.

Thu, May 1 2025 3 Iyar 5785