A Message About Legacy
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A Message About Legacy
By David Ginsburg
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Rosh HaShanah 5781
by David Ginsburg
Saturday, September 19th, 2020
A Message About Legacy
Dear Fellow congregants, visitors and guests,
You must be thinking about now, ”Why is David up here now? He isn’t the president anymore.” And you are right. I am the past president, having served Agudath Achim for two nonconsecutive terms. And I might add that I am very happy with my current title. I feel very comfortable that leadership is in good hands and that Bob is recognizing things that need to be addressed and will take care of them quickly and efficiently.
I was asked to speak to you about a specific area of fundraising that some may be aware of and others not. I’m not talking about our dues structure. We did that last January. The Dues committee did their research and we made a proposal to the attentive group in attendance that Sunday morning and you all agreed with the numbers and the premise. Our dues income is moving in a positive direction and reflecting the first year’s response as we hoped it would. I want to thank the committee again and all of you that stepped up to ease the demand from the foundation.
And I am not here to propose a fundraising scheme or extra donation to get us over a particular goal. Many of you are from other congregations and have heard the speech and been handed a card with your name on it and tabs to fold to make a pledge. Not doing that either.Many years ago, I remember it was part of the day’s schedule. If it was discontinued I can only surmise there was a good reason, and I will leave it at that.So relax. What I want to discuss with you is what you do with your money or your estate when you no longer need it. This is part of the conversation you have with your accountant or attorney, your family, and your most private and innermost thoughts about how you want to be remembered and by whom. I want to suggest to you that you consider Agudath Achim in your will for the continuation and betterment of the congregation in the future. This is referred to as legacy giving.
I have had the privilege over the past years to witness firsthand the receiving and the giving of estates from this congregation and most recently from my own family. With the guidance of the executive committee, five and six figure bequests from three members in particular in the past five to six years have been instrumental in making repairs, paying salaries long term, and the day to day expenses that come with a synagogue. For as many years as I can remember we have had a deficit budget, so the needs are ongoing. The generosity of these members and others has helped us to make it to this day together. And this is not a recent phenomenon. Twenty five or thirty years ago, Arnold Lincove, a past treasurer and president, observed that at that time, memorial donations and bequests helped us reach our budget goals.For those of you who did not know Arnold, he was an accountant and dedicated member of Agudath Achim. His ability to look at the numbers and analyze the data was spot on. He also helped create the foundation. So this is not a new idea.
Many nonprofits stress legacy giving. It is an important and significant flow to many organizations. At this time of year, Tzedaka is mentioned and stressed. Helping our fellow Jews has been a tradition from our earliest writings. Today, in 2021 or 5781, is no different. So don’t think this discussion is crass or out of place. Now comes the hard part. What is most important to you and your family? How are they all doing financially? How much do I have to divvy up or distribute? What, after all, are my priorities? Don’t sidestep the importance of this exchange of ideas. Putting it in writing is the next step. If you don’t put it in writing, the state of Louisiana and the federal tax code have some very concrete plans for your estate. And it may not be in line with how you or your family feels.
This past year, Sandra and I sat down with Bruce Miller, a tax attorney in New Orleans. Forty years ago he was a young attorney working for our favorite federal government agency here in Shreveport and he was a member of Agudath Achim. We have been good friends and in touch ever since. He guided us through the process of updating our wills, reflecting changes in law and values now since the first edition, and new more important priorities that just were not there twenty years ago when we wrote the first editions. At that first appointment, Mom had past away only recently and I had the experience of executing her will. We witnessed firsthand how situations change and the need to include those changes in the plan going forward. That said, if you have found value in your relationships with this congregation and the families around you, or from our spiritual leaders, it doesn’t need a major rewrite and expense to update your documents. If you have found a renewed strength from a particular area of the congregation, you may specify how your bequest is to be used. Building and grounds, general fund, Rabbi’s discretionary account, or the foundation, are just a few. It can be done in most cases with an addendum to the existing will with a phone call to your attorney.
Unlike other fundraising efforts, we will not call you to follow up on this presentation. I hope I have planted a seed that you will nurture and follow through. And it doesn’t matter whether your net worth is in hundreds or multiple millions. It can be in cash, stocks, real estate, art or any other negotiable form. The liturgy we recite at this time of year that says who will live and who will die demonstrates the demographics of our kahila that are inescapable. But if we can make a positive difference for those who remain after we are gone, then truly our memory will be for a blessing. Remember Agudath Achim for the benefit of those who will be here after we are gone as we have benefitted from the generosity of those who have gone before us. Lashana tovah tikatevu.
Tue, October 8 2024
6 Tishrei 5785
Rabbi's Sermons
Bereshit - Genesis
- Parshat Bereshit: Oct. 26, 2019, October 1, 2021, October 2, 2021
- Parshat Noah: Nov. 2, 2019, October 8, 2021, Oct. 29, 2022
- Parshat Lekh-L'kha: Nov. 9, 2019, Oct. 31, 2020, Oct. 31, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 15, 2021
- Parshat Vayeira: Nov. 16, 2019, Nov. 7, 2020, Nov. 7, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 22, 2021, Oct. 23, 2021
- Parshat Hayei Sara: Nov. 14, 2020, Oct. 30, 2021
- Parshat Toldot: Nov. 30, 2019, Nov. 21, 2020, Nov. 6, 2021
- Parshat Vayeitzei: Nov. 28, 2020, Nov. 13, 2021
- Parshat Vayishlah: Dec. 14, 2019 , Dec. 5, 2020, November 20, 2021
- Parshat Vayeisheiv: Dec. 12, 2020, Nov. 27, 2021
- Parshat Miketz: Dec. 4, 2021
- Parshat Vayigash: Jan. 4, 2020, Dec. 26, 2020, Dec. 11, 2021
- Parshat Vay'hi: Jan. 11, 2020, Jan. 2, 2021
Shemot-Exodus
- Parshat Sh'mot: Jan. 18, 2020, Jan. 18, 2020 - Part 2, Jan. 9, 2021
- Parshat Va'eira: Jan. 25, 2021
- Parshat Bo: Feb. 1, 2020, Jan. 23, 2021
- Parshat B'shalah: Jan. 30, 2021, Jan. 15, 2022, Feb. 3, 2023, Feb.4, 2023
- Parshat Yitro: Feb. 15, 2020, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 21, 2022, Feb. 22, 2022
- Parshat Mishpatim: Feb. 22, 2020, Feb. 18, 2023
- Parshat T'rumah: Feb. 29, 2020, Feb. 29, 2020 - Part 2, Feb. 20, 2021, Feb. 4, 2022, Feb. 5, 2022, Feb. 25, 2023
- Parshat T'tzaveh: March 7, 2020, Feb. 27, 2021, Feb. 12, 2022, Feb. 11, 2022
- Parshat Ki Tisa: March 14, 2020, March 6, 2021, February 19, 2022
- Parshot Vayak'heil-P'kudei: March 21, 2020, March 13, 2021, February 26, 2022, March 18, 2023
Vayikra-Leviticus
- Parshat Vayikra: March 20, 2021, March 11, 2022, March 24, 2023, March 25, 2023
- Parshat Tzav: April 4, 2020, March 27, 2021, March 19, 2022
- Parshat Sh'mini: April 18, 2020
- Parshot Tazria-Metzora: April 25, 2020, April 17, 2021, April 2, 2022, April 20, 2024
- Parshot Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: May 2, 2020, April 24, 2021, May 7, 2022, May 3, 2024, May 10, 2024
- Emor: May 9, 2020, May 1, 2021, May 13, 2022, May 14, 2022, May 6, 2023
- Parshot B'har-B'hukotai: May 8, 2019, May 16, 2020, May 7, 2021, May 21, 2022, May 28, 2022, May 24, 2024, May 31, 2024
Bamidbar-Numbers
- Parshat Bamidbar: May 15, 2021, May 20, 2023, June 7, 2024
- Parshat Nasso: June 6, 2020, June 6, 2020 - Part 2, May 22, 2021, June 10, 2022, June 2, 2023, June 14, 2024
- Parshat B'ha'alotcha: June 13, 2020, June 13, 2020 - Part 2, June 9, 2023, June 10, 2023, June 21, 2024
- Parshat Sh'lach: June 20, 2020, June 20, 2020 - Part 2, June 5, 2021, June 28, 2024
- Parshat Korah: June 27, 2020, July 18, 2020, July 24, 2023, July 5, 2024
- Parshot Chukat-Balak: June 26, 2021, July 12, 2024, July 19, 2024
- Parshat Pinchas: July 11, 2020, July 11, 2020 - Part 2, July 2, 2021, July 3, 2021, July 22, 2022, July 23, 2022, July 26, 2024
- Parshot Matot-Masei: July 18, 2020, July 18, 2020 - Part 2, July 10, 2021, July 30, 2022, August 2, 2024
D'varim-Deuteronomy
- Parshat D'varim: July 25, 2020, July 25, 2020 - Part 2, July 17, 2021, August 6, 2022, August 9, 2024
- Parshat Va'et'hanan: Aug. 1, 2020, July 24, 2021, August 12, 2022, August 13, 2022, Aug. 16, 2024
- Parshat Eikev: Aug. 8, 2020, July 31, 2021, August 19, 2022, August 20, 2022
- Parshat Re'eh: August 7, 2021, August 30, 2024
- Parshat Shoftim: September 7, 2019, Aug. 22, 2020, August 14, 2021, August 14, 2021 - Part 2, September 3, 2022, September 6, 2024
- Parshat Ki Teitzei: Aug. 29, 2020, August 20, 2021, September 13, 2024
- Parshat Ki Tavo: Sept. 5, 2020, Sept. 5, 2020 - Part 2, August 28, 2021, Sept. 17, 2022, Sept. 20, 2024
- Parshot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Sept. 11, 2021, September 24, 2022, Sept. 27,2024
- Parshat Ha'Azinu: Sept. 26, 2020, October 4, 2024
- Parshat Haberakhah
Rosh HaShanah: Sept. 19, 2020, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 2, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 3, Sept. 20, 2020, Sept. 7, 2021, Sept. 8, 2021, Sept. 9, 2021, Sept. 26, 2022
Yom Kippur: Sept. 28, 2020, Sept. 16, 2021, October 5, 2022
Sukkot: Oct. 3, 2020 , Sept. 20, 2021
Passover: April 3, 2021, April 23, 2022, April 7, 2023, April 12, 2023 April 27, 2024
Rosh Hodesh: April 22, 2023
Friday Night
Kol Nidre Service : 6:20pm |
Candle Lighting : 6:28pm |
: 7:30pm |
Shabbat Day
Yom Kippur : 9:00am |
: 1:30pm |
Evening Service : 5:00pm |
Havdalah : 7:35pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Oct 11 Kol Nidre Service Friday, Oct 11 6:20pm |
Oct 12 Yom Kippur Shabbat, Oct 12 9:00am |
Oct 12 Evening Service Shabbat, Oct 12 5:00pm |
Oct 13 Sukkot Preperation-setup. Decorating starts at 11 Sunday, Oct 13 10:00am |
Oct 16 Erev Sukkot Service Wednesday, Oct 16 7:00pm |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Oct 11, 6:28pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Oct 12, 7:35pm |
Erev Yom Kippur
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