Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

David Harris

Our December Legacy News: 

Warm wishes for a bright Chanukah

Candle by candle, day by day, person by person, we give thanks for the brightness Chanukah brings.

Wishing you a warm and happy holiday,


The Jewish Federation team

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Why I Give: I Saw Dachau

We asked people in the Jewish community to share with you why they give. Here, we asked Philip T. Cohen. At age 97, he is the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s longest continuous donor.

Federation: Why did you start giving to the Federation back in 1945?

Philip T. Cohen: My brother and I watched our parents giving every day to the pushke [a tzedakah box for saving money for charity]. When times were good, when times were bad.

I was an engineering officer in a fighter crew. When the war ended in Europe our outfit got sent home. Then I got a call that a general was coming to see me. His first words to me were: “I have an operation in headquarters in the General Command, I have been looking at your record.” I volunteered.

I went to headquarters in Munich. One of the first things I did was walk through Dachau. It was clear to me what had happened to the Jewish people there.

I came home in September 1945 as a Major. One of the first things I did upon my return was to give to the Federation. More >

  

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CYJL Update

The second group of 11 teams dedicated to sustaining our Jewish future through Create Your Jewish Legacy, cohort 2, participated in Seminar VI, led by Josh Ackerman. The speaker, Brian Sagresteno, a philanthropic gift planning expert, also spoke to the Federation’s JPAN (Jewish Professional Advisor Network).
   
Did you know? Since the start of the CYJL program in fall of 2014, 806 donors have signed a letter of intent to make a legacy gift to an organization in the Jewish community.

“We are changing the behavior in our community, we are leaving a significant, powerful legacy. Thank you for the work you are doing.” —Danielle V. Minson, Federation’s Chief Development Officer, at the start of the seminar

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Meet Howard and Marlene Mayers and watch their video

“I’ve always enjoyed working in the community and I also always felt a responsibility to do that just because I saw my parents do it.” —Howard Mayers

Howard met Marlene at the University of Cincinnati. They raised three children here and built a home grounded in Judaism. Howard learned electrical contracting from his father and continues the family business, Mayers Electric. From their parents, they inherited the importance of charitable giving and community volunteerism. They hope their legacy will provide for the community’s continued growth.

 

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  Jim and Deb’s December Tip: 2017 Year-End Tax Planning

By Jim Friedman and Deb Steinbuch

Year-end is often the best time to consider financial and tax planning strategies. As we write this, Congress is close to passing significant changes to the tax laws that could, if enacted, affect financial strategies and tactics. This makes it more important than ever to meet with your advisors to review your investment portfolio and consider tax, financial, and charitable giving strategies before December 31. Things may become clearer as year-end approaches—but be prepared to be flexible and prepared to act in a short timeframe.

There is good news: you can take steps before December 31 that can lower your 2017 tax liability. More >