Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation has been participating as a partner with the Grinspoon Foundation by implementing their Life and Legacy program as a commitment to the Jewish communities to ensure a strong tomorrow in all aspects of Jewish living.

At this point, Orlando’s community has 60 signed Letters of Intent with a goal of 90 in the first year. This equates to $1.9MM intended for the Orlando community as after-life gifts.

There are 15 teams committed to securing at least 18 Letters of Intent by March 31, the last day of year one. Once that goal is reached, each team will receive a grant of $6,000, providing a double mitzvah for the organization benefiting from the legacy gift.

When asked why he decided to become a Legacy donor, Craig Polejes of Orlando replied, “As a longtime resident of the Central Florida community whose family has benefitted tremendously from the many worthwhile Jewish Agencies and Synagogues in the area, I feel a responsibility to help these organizations through a legacy gift. It’s an easy and often overlooked way to help ensure the future health and prosperity of the Jewish Community.”

If interested in leaving a legacy and contributing to Orlando’s Jewish Community, contact Congregation Ohev Shalom, Central Florida Hillel, Jewish Academy of Orlando, Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando, The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando.

On May 22, TOP Jewish Foundation will host two community-wide celebrations for new legacy donors, one for Orlando, the other for Tampa Bay.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) is a private foundation established in 1993 and located in West Springfield, Massachusetts. It is a non-profit charitable organization with the goal of “enhancing Jewish and community life in Western Massachusetts, North America, Israel, and beyond.”

PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

More information will follow in an upcoming issue of the Heritage.

To learn more about the Life and Legacy program, please contact Lori Karpay, TOP development officer, Life and Legacy coordinator, lori@topjewishfoundation or 813-961-9090.