Planned Giving
“I did not find this world desolate when I entered it. My ancestors planted for me before I was born. So do I choose to plant for those who will come after me.”
– Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 23a
Since 1795, Congregation Rodeph Shalom has dedicated itself to being a center of Jewish life in Philadelphia by strengthening Jewish community, upholding Jewish values in and outside its walls, and providing deep meaning in people’s lives throughout their lifetimes. From the time a child is born, we are present for life’s most joyful and challenging times, ensuring that the next generation of Jews remains vibrant and strong.
By making a planned gift for Congregation Rodeph Shalom, you can help make the difference to ensure and shape the future of Reform Judaism at RS. Consider naming the synagogue in your will or trust or as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy. This is easy to do, and you will be making a profound impact on the future of Rodeph Shalom.
The Legacy Society – L’dor Vador – From Generation to Generation
The Legacy Society celebrates the commitment of RS congregants and friends who provide for RS through bequests, retirement plan accounts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities, life income gifts, and other gift plans to benefit the Congregation in the future. You can be an anonymous member of The Legacy Society if you wish. Click here to see a full list of Legacy Society members.
How to join the Legacy Society
One of the most popular ways you can make an estate gift to RS is through a bequest, in which you include a provision in your will or revocable living trust. With a gift from your estate, you do not need to part with assets now that you may need later in retirement.
Next Steps:
1) Contact your legal or financial advisor to assist with the planning and preparation of documents.
2) If you wish to restrict your gift to a specific RS program, contact Noah Levine who welcomes the opportunity to discuss the impact you wish to have with the estate gift you are considering.
3) Once your documents are completed contact Jeff Katz so the Congregation can welcome you into The Legacy Society. You can be an anonymous member if you wish.
Wording for a bequest and other resources:
This information is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. When considering a gift of this nature, always consult your professional advisors.
Legal name
Congregation Rodeph Shalom located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(Tax ID # 23-1365228), or its successors
Bequest language
Specific amount or asset
I give [$ amount_____ OR ___asset ___] to Congregation Rodeph Shalom, located in Philadelphia, PA (Tax ID # 23-1365228), or its successors, to be used as the trustees of the Congregation shall determine.
Residuary Gift
I give ________% of the rest of my estate to Congregation Rodeph Shalom, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Tax ID # 23-1365228), or its successors, to be used as the trustees of the Congregation shall determine.
Designating your gift for the impact you desire
The Congregation values all gifts from estates. Those gifts directed to the general endowment allow the trustees the most flexibility in using your gift. However, should you wish to direct your gift to a program important to you, the following areas are suggested:
General Endowment
Ritual
Music & Art
Education
Social Action
Preservation of the Facility
We want to assist you!
If you wish to restrict your gift to a specific RS program rather than the general endowment, please contact Jeff Katz.
This information is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. When considering a gift of this nature, always consult your professional advisors.
A gift from a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or commercial annuity.
Retirement Accounts
Assets in retirement accounts such as an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) will be distributed to those individuals and charitable organizations you have named in a beneficiary designation form. To include RS for a gift from a retirement account, request a change of beneficiary form from your account administrator. You can name RS to receive all or a portion of the remaining funds in the account. Using a beneficiary designation for your gift may reduce the amount of income taxes paid from these assets. It’s easy and can make a lasting difference for future generations of RS congregants.
Life Insurance
You can name RS as a beneficiary for all or a portion of the death benefit of a life insurance policy. In some cases you can transfer ownership of a life insurance policy to RS, which may provide tax benefits.
Commercial Annuities
Some commercial annuity contracts will permit you to name a beneficiary if there are assets left at the last annuitant’s passing. If you own such an annuity contract this may be a way that you can make an estate gift for the future of RS.
Donor Advised Fund
If you have a donor advised fund and the sponsoring charity allows you to suggest those charitable organizations to receive any remaining funds at your passing, consider suggesting RS as one of the charitable organizations to benefit from your donor advised fund.
Next steps:
1) Contact the administrator who handles your retirement accounts, life insurance policy, commercial annuity, or donor advised fund. Request a change of beneficiary form.
2) Complete the change of beneficiary form and include a gift for RS for whatever amount is right for you. Sign the form and return it to the account administrator.
3) Contact Jeff Katz so the Congregation can welcome you into The Legacy Society. You can be an anonymous member if you wish.
This information is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. When considering a gift of this nature, always consult your professional advisors.
