The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Create a Jewish Legacy program that has helped 14 local Jewish organizations raise over $10 million for their endowments programs will expand to a new group of organizations in 2016-2017. The Create a Jewish Legacy initiative trains and supports communal organizations in the areas of planned giving and endowments.

Applications for the next round of Create a Jewish Legacy will be accepted through Friday, February 26.

Through the program, leaders and staff from a cross-section of Chicago area Jewish schools, synagogues, and organizations learn the ins and outs of soliciting, stewarding, and marketing endowment gifts.

Endowment gifts generate income to sustain Jewish life today while the principal remains intact to support Jewish life tomorrow.

During the first year of Create a Jewish Legacy , 2014-2015, 323 endowment gifts totaling $8.8 million were raised for 14 local Jewish institutions.

These included: Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation; The ARK; Chicago Jewish Day School; Chicago Sinai Congregation; CJE SeniorLife; Hebrew Theological College; Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School; Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; Jewish Child & Family Services; North Shore Congregation Israel; North Suburban Synagogue Beth El; Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion; Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago; and Temple Jeremiah.

“We are delighted to help make this initiative possible, and couldn’t be more pleased to serve as a resource for all these Jewish institutions that serve our community with such commitment and passion,” said Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. “We look forward to bringing this program to more institutions that share our dedication to the Jewish future.”

Linda Ginsburg is the chair of the Create a Jewish Legacy Committee. Create a Jewish Legacy is made possible by grants from the Crown Family and an anonymous donor.

To learn more about the Create a Jewish Legacy program, contact Naomi Shapiro at (312) 357-4853 or [email protected].