May 2020

A MESSSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION OF
THE GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION

Welcome to the May 2020 edition of The Foundation e-newsletter. This month, we are writing to share a few inspiring stories from our donors and their lasting Jewish legacies. We hope you enjoy reading these and we encourage you to reach out to us with your story of what motivates you and how you want to make a difference in our community.

We have also included some new information about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and some charitable giving strategies in 2020. In addition to providing $2 trillion to support the economy, the CARES Act affects philanthropy.

Click HERE to learn about five ways to use retirement assets to make an impact.

If you are a professional advisor, click HERE to learn about tax and donation planning for your clients in light of the CARES Act.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership with us. We were here in the past, we are here in the present and we will be here in the future as we look forward to a stronger tomorrow — today!

STRENGTHENING THE JEWISH FUTURE...
IN THEIR OWN WORDS

The future of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation remains strong thanks to our legacy donors, including members of our Heritage Society, Forever Pacesetters and Forever Lions. Please click the links below to read stories from Patty and Louis Gurkin and Marian and Paul Kruss about the legacy gifts they established to strengthen the future of our Jewish community. Stay tuned for future stories of donors who are planning today for ways to make an impact on our Jewish future.

Patty and Louis Gurkin In their own words Click here to read their story

Marian and Paul Kruss In their own words Click here to read their story

YOU CAN HELP NOW WITH CORONAVIRUS
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE NEEDS IN MIAMI

There are immediate needs as people from all sectors adjust to the new reality created by the coronavirus crisis and request assistance with everyday expenses including paying for rent, utilities, food and medication. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation continues to provide life-saving support and resources to our local beneficiary agencies to meet the extraordinary needs ahead.

Please watch this video of Federation on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis to learn how we are helping because of you and exactly why Federation exists. We hope you will share this piece with friends and family.

If you are in a position to help others now and would like to make a Supplemental Donation by credit card directed to the coronavirus crisis in Miami, click HERE.

If you have a donor-advised fund with The Foundation, we encourage you to access your fund through our secure donor portal site to make a grant to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation in support of “Coronavirus Crisis in Miami.” It’s as easy as 1-2-3 and we are here to show you how to securely login with your unique username and password to access your fund, check balances, make grant recommendations, see your giving history and more.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit JewishMiami.org/covid19/ for Federation’s Coronavirus Community Resource page.

A LEGACY THAT DELIVERS

Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach Receives Donation From the Estate of Joseph Oppenheimer

Joseph Oppenheimer fell in love with Miami Beach. In many ways, the city helped him begin life again after he survived years of Nazi torture and humiliation in the death camps of Europe during World War II. It was in Miami Beach that Joseph met the love of his life, Rhoda. They married and enjoyed living in this community. He was a postman. He delivered the mail, and as most postmen of his era, came to know the people and stories on his route, though he never shared that he was a Holocaust Survivor.

The Holocaust Memorial professional staff did not meet Joseph in person even though he lived only blocks away on Lenox Avenue. However, the enduring Jewish legacy gift he created will serve as a living testament to his memory forever. After his passing, the Memorial learned of Joseph’s extraordinary gift left to its endowment fund to help support the Memorial’s work with Holocaust Survivors. Joseph’s generosity will also perpetuate Holocaust education efforts, including the distribution of online resources and age-appropriate lessons plans to Miami-Dade County teachers as well as the continuation of community programs such as Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Joseph Oppenheimer’s story is but one of many examples over the years of donors in our community who anonymously and very meaningfully create lasting Jewish legacies in their lifetimes to benefit generations to come after they are no longer with us.