News

A NEW CLASS OF ENDOWMENT BOOK OF LIFE SIGNERS LEND THEIR LEGACIES TO OUR FUTURE

On Sunday, November 2, our community once again came together at Congregation Shaarey Zedek for our Endowment Book of Life (EBOL) Signers Brunch, honouring our newest signers and the legacy they are choosing to leave for the future of the Jewish community in Winnipeg.

This year, eight joined the more than 800 before them as Book of Life Signers: Stewart Fay (in memory of Patricia Fay), Dave Hill, Becky Kaufmann, Moses Levy, Belva London, Jack London, Jeff Morry and Sarah Morry.

Each Signer, whether for themselves or in memory of a loved one, has taken the meaningful step of creating a legacy that will support and sustain the community in the future. 

"We are the beneficiaries of remarkable foresight," said John Diamond, JFM CEO. "The wisdom of community members who, decades ago, recognized that the best way to secure the future was to start planning for it."

Speaking to a crowd of more than 100 community members, including numerous past signers, Diamond emphasized that becoming an EBOL Signer is an action that carries immense weight for future generations. 

"As Jews around the world face uncertainty, our community has had the resources, stability, and resolve to adapt and to supportone another," he said. "This hasn't happened by accident. It is the direct result of thoughtful people who believed in the strength of a collective endowment and in the promise of Jewish Winnipeg.

Now, today's group of signers choose to build on that legacy."

The event also featured remarks from signer Jack London, who spoke movingly about the importance of the Foundation and the connection between endowment gifts and Jewish values and traditions. 

He explained that endowments embody the concept of l'dor v'dor by supporting future generations of the community. 

"Think of it like planting seeds," he said.  "You may not see the tree grow overnight, but one day someone will sit in its shade, benefiting from the kindness you showed today.

Acts of generosity are powerful tools for creating and maintaining a better world."
Jack shared that Jewish thought views giving tzedakah as not just charity, but a moral obligation. 

"An endowment gift is a powerful expression of this duty," he said. "It reflects the Jewish principle of tikkun olam, (repairing the world). It can be a spiritual act, fulfilling commandments and enhancing the donor's connections to their faith.

One of the enduring strengths of the Endowment Book of Life program is the uniqueness of every signer's story. Over 800 stories, and not one of them is the same.  Some Signers are motivated by their own journeys as Jewish people; the memory of loved ones inspires others, and many are driven by the desire to make life better for the children and grandchildren who will follow, providing them with a clear path to follow. 

Although the reasons are different, they ultimately lead to the same outcome: a shared commitment to preserving the legacy and longevity of Jewish life in Manitoba.

"We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us," John Diamond said at the brunch. "By choosing to sign the Endowment Book of Life, these eight honourees are helping ensure that future generations have equally strong shoulders of their own to stand upon."

To read the inspirational stories of every Endowment Book of Life signer, please visit https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/.

If you are interested in becoming an Endowment Book of Life signer, don't hesitate to get in touch with Pamela Minuk, Donor Services Associate, by telephone at 204.477.7520 or toll-free from the US/Canada at 1.855.284.1918 or by email at [email protected].