A Generous Bequest Shapes the Future of Holocaust Education

S P R I N G 2 0 1 3

8A Generous 1 Bequest Shapes the Future of Holocaust Education

8Letter from 2 the JFCS Endowment Chair

8In Memoriam 2

8Thinking of the 4 Future, Alvin Baum Invests in the JFCS of Today and Tomorrow

8Because of Their 6 Bequests, Future Generations Will Benefit

8What’s Behind 8 the Gift?

Just as Lonny Darwin shaped the Bay Area Jewish community, many people, places, and passions shaped Lonny. Our entire community has benefited from her work—whether it be youth who can learn about the Holocaust or the elderly who can enjoy a cultural performance.

8Bequest to Benefit the JfCs holoCaust Center

THE JFCS PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND UPDATE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

lonny Darwin

Lonny Darwin, october 29, 1912 – January 11, 2013

Photo right: high school students listen to a holocaust survivor at the JfCs holocaust Center’s tauber library.

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Valerie and I have thought long and hard about our legacies. We want them to reflect our personal histories and values—to serve as teachable moments for our children, grandchildren, and successive generations and as clear statements to them and to our community about our hopes, ideals, and intentions. That is why we are legacy donors to Jewish Family and Children’s Services.

In this issue of Generations, we include stories of those who have left legacies—through wills and trusts—to benefit the future of our community. A bequest in a will or trust can be a way to tie our identities to the kind of legacies we’d like to leave. Starting now and continuing after we’re gone, we can create a bright future for children, help the frail and ailing, and positively affect issues about which we care deeply.

We hope these stories inspire you to tell your own meaningful story; and we hope you will also make sure that your story will endure through the creation of your own legacy gift.

Thank you for your support and caring. Sincerely,

Paul Crane DorfmanChair, JFCS Endowment Committee

Dear Friend,

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In MemoriamWe remember those Endowment donors who have passed since July 1, 2012. Their names will live on through their generous gifts to JFCS.

Ann Bear

Ralph Black

Lonny Darwin

Richard Hoffman

Anita Keyak

Catlin Larsen-O’Hair

Robert Lauter

Gerhard Lowenthal

Irving Rabin

Sylvia Salomon

Joseph Satten

Albert L. Schultz

Donald Seiler

Richard Selig

Marvin Siegel

Eugene Tannen

Irving Tapper

8LONNy DARWIN BEQUEST

A Generous Bequest Shapes the Future of Holocaust EducationCONTINUED FROM COvER

G i v i n G G e n e r o u s l y t o c a u s e s a n d o r G a n i z a t i o n s .

WE WILL ALL REMEMBER

LONNy AS A TRuE

RENAISSANCE WOMAN,

A SPuNKy CENTENARIAN

WITH BIG SuNGLASSES,

A RADIANT SMILE, AND

INCREDIBLE ENERGy.

students connect to holocaust survivors through the holocaust Center’s next Chapter Project.

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See a short video about the JFCS Holocaust Center’s founders at www.jfcs.org/about/video-gallery.

Lonny was a community leader, a true philanthropist, and a dear friend. Living for more than 100 years gave her ample opportunity to learn important life lessons from people, passions, travels, and experiences. Lonny was who she was because of these multiple influences, and none more so than her family before her.

Indeed, one of Lonny’s many pursuits was compiling her family history, extending back to her great grandfather, head of the Jewish community in Nagykanizsa, Hungary, who was renowned for his charitable work. Although Lonny managed to leave Germany for San Francisco in the late 1930s, her mother, a talented painter and sculptor, was killed at Auschwitz. The Holocaust and the loss of her mother had a great impact on her life, and she committed herself to making sure that this period in our history is never forgotten.

To honor her family and the millions murdered during the Holocaust, Lonny collected and preserved Yizkor books—which included precious historical details—from Europe’s vanished Jewish communities. Perhaps her greatest gift to our community was her tireless work as a co-founder of the Holocaust Center of Northern

California in 1977, which is now part of JFCS.

“Her commitment to the endeavors she cared about is legendary,” said community leader Dr. Ingrid Tauber, a member of JFCS’ Board of Directors. “Lonny enriched and strengthened our lives by her ability to engage us in her passionate pursuits.”

Lonny gave generously to causes, including JFCS, in which she wholeheartedly believed. Leaders from many organizations in our community—Jewish, cultural, and educational—paid tribute to Lonny at a memorial service held at JFCS in February.

Morgan Blum, Director of Education at the JFCS Holocaust Center, described her pleasure in working with Lonny: “Lonny’s praise, encouragement, and expressions of confidence helped to reaffirm the importance of our work to teach youth about the Holocaust and inspire social responsibility,”

Blum said. “When you spoke to Lonny, she truly listened, and you knew her heart and soul took in each word with great attention.” We will all remember Lonny as a true Renaissance woman, a spunky centenarian with big sunglasses, a radiant smile, and incredible energy.

Through her bequest, life-income gift, and the Leonie J. Darwin and Jay A. Darwin Endowment Fund to benefit the JFCS Holocaust Center, future generations will benefit greatly. “Lonny approached life with immense passion and fervor,” said Dr. Tauber. “Her gifts to our community through her dedication will grace our memories for years to come.” H

Just as society changes with the times, so do people—and Alvin Baum is living proof of it.

A product of an assimilated Jewish family from Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago, Alvin has never been one to lead a static life. After receiving his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard, he served in the United States Army in Germany, where, in the Cold War Era of the early 1950s, he found himself going, for the first time in his life, to Shabbat services. “I was escaping the boredom of military life,” he says, but it was also an opportunity to explore his Jewish identity.

After the military, Al chose to move to San Francisco to embark on a legal career. Soon disenchanted with the practice of law, he returned to school—at UC Berkeley—where he received a master’s degree in

City and Regional Planning.

For many years, Al was a a successful city planner (helping to save San Francisco Bay) and consultant, but in mid-career, decided to venture in an entirely new direction. He went back to Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare and earned his MSW. For more than 20 years, he enjoyed a thriving psychotherapy practice.

Al’s transformation has been personal as well as professional. “In 1971,” he says, “I began to acknowledge to myself that I was gay.” Over the years, he also experienced a strengthening of his Jewish identity. Coming into his own as a gay Jewish man, he also embraced another component of his identity—philanthropist—but not initially. “For many years, I rejected that label,” Al says. “I didn’t think that what I was doing qualified for the highfalutin’ term

Thinking of the Future, Alvin Baum Invests in the JFCS of Today and Tomorrow

8ALvIN H. BAUM ENDOWMENT FUND FOR USE WHERE MOST NEEDED

alvin Baum (seated), with robert holgate.

thanks to the foresight and generosity of alvin Baum, JfCs’ many programs and services—including those that help seniors to remain independent, children to thrive, and families to grow—will continue to serve generations to come.

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Thinking of the Future, Alvin Baum Invests in the JFCS of Today and Tomorrow

8ALvIN H. BAUM ENDOWMENT FUND FOR USE WHERE MOST NEEDED

a G e n e r o u s d o n o r t o m a n y o r G a n i z a t i o n s .

‘philanthropist.’ A close Catholic friend convinced me that I needed to give more, and when I did that, and listened to people’s reactions, I grew to accept the label ‘philanthropist.’”

As a philanthropist, Al has contributed his time and resources to many causes and organizations, and JFCS has been one of his favorites. For almost 30 years, he has been an active participant at the agency—as a member of its Board of Directors for six years and a major donor throughout. In the late 1990s, he established at JFCS the Alvin H. Baum Endowment Fund for use where most needed, which will be generously supplemented by a charitable remainder trust created around the same time.

For Al, JFCS has been a wonderful fit. Just as he has grown and transformed throughout his

life, he notes that the agency has done so as well, adding new mental health and social service initiatives to meet the community’s changing needs: services for HIV-positive individuals, Parents Place for families and children, and Seniors At Home for older clients, among dozens of other programs. The agency’s Jewish roots resonate for him, as does its success in helping many clients through its psychotherapy services.

At 82, Al continues to evolve. He and Robert Holgate have been partners for nine years. Like Al, Robert, a San Francisco interior designer, is a generous donor to many organizations. They set an inspiring example for community service and share a dedication to helping many organizations, including JFCS, for years to come. H

thanks to the foresight and generosity of alvin Baum, JfCs’ many programs and services—including those that help seniors to remain independent, children to thrive, and families to grow—will continue to serve generations to come.

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Bequest Commitments

EvE BERNSTEINPersonal harDshiP fuels her Desire to helP

Eve Bernstein became involved at JFCS when she and one of her children participated in a Parents Place mother-infant group in 1977. Yet the roots of her abiding love for the agency go back to her New York childhood of the 1950s and 60s.

“My family was very poor,” recounts Eve. “We were constantly evicted from apartments, our phone would be disconnected, and we didn’t have enough to eat. My mother died at 50—basically from hardship.”

Drawing on her personal history, Eve decided early on that she would help others in need if she could. “I know what it’s like to be hungry and not to have the money to pay the bills,” she says.

A successful Bay Area real estate professional, Eve expanded on her interest in Parents Place, serving on JFCS’ Board of Directors and on its Program Committee in the 1990s. As she has deepened her dedication to community service and the mission of JFCS, she has also stepped up her financial commitments through major gifts—two endowment funds, including one in memory of her mother; a capital gift to Rhoda Goldman Plaza; and, now, a promise of a bequest.

“I will always be there for JFCS,” says Eve, whose three grown children and her husband, Alex Gersznowicz, are agency friends. “When there’s a need, I will always say, ‘Yes.’”

FRED & TESSA CHERNISSDevoteD volunteers extenD their DeDiCation

Fred and Tessa Cherniss were introduced to JFCS through the agency’s Food Pantry in Marin County, where their once-a-month commitment developed into a far deeper connection. Dependable volunteers who can always be counted on to load up their car with groceries to deliver to JFCS, Fred and Tessa now give generously of their time and resources.

Tessa was a teacher at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center preschool, where JFCS clinical staff work with children. She was impressed with JFCS’ broad range of programs to meet the children’s diverse needs. “They handle everything from basic child rearing issues to specialized support for families with particular challenges,” Tessa said.

Ultimately, the Cherniss’ decision to leave a legacy to JFCS is twofold. “We want to continue to support these marvelous programs after our lifetimes,” said Fred and Tessa. But it was also their ongoing relationship with JFCS and the friendships they have built that motivated them. “The connections on an individual level have inspired us to leave a legacy,” they said.

JOHN GALENa DeeP aPPreCiation leaDs to a long-term Commitment

John Galen has been part of the JFCS community since the 1960s. He served on its Board of Directors back when JFCS was called the Jewish Family Service Agency, and he was active in 1977, when the agency merged with Homewood Terrace putting the ‘children’ in Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Through his close association, he understands JFCS’ ability to innovate and best serve those in need.

John had always intended to provide for JFCS after his lifetime and to leave a bequest in his will or trust. However, after discussing his plans with JFCS’ Endowment staff, he discovered that he could make the agency a beneficiary of an existing Veterans Affairs life insurance policy, the benefits of which will be paid to JFCS following his death. Making the gift was an easy and simple process. It benefited JFCS, but it also allowed John to free up other assets to leave to his family and to take advantage of certain tax benefits.

John is pleased to make such a meaningful gift, and says that he has “complete confidence” that JFCS will put the gift to good use.

They come from differenT walks of life, buT They share one common inTenTion: To creaTe a sTronger and beTTer communiTy for Those who follow. we celebraTe Those who have died and Those in our midsT who conTinue To do good works.

8BECAUSE OF THEIR BEQUESTS, FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL BENEFIT

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ERNA & HERMAN WERTHEIM Centenarians’ Care for their Community lives on

Having fled Nazi Germany in 1936 with their baby daughter, Erna and Herman Wertheim faced many challenges in their early years in San Francisco. They had to rebuild their lives, learn a new culture, and re-establish themselves professionally. It wasn’t easy, but after working in a clothing business, owning a cleaning store, and opening a real estate company, the Wertheims were successful.

The couple possessed more than a rigorous work ethic, business acumen, and resilience. During their 70 years together, they demonstrated a deep caring for the Jewish community.

The Wertheims loved JFCS, where Erna’s father, also a refugee, worked at Utility Workshop, which created employment for immigrants. “It gave my grandfather a sense of purpose,” says Lee Battat, the Wertheims’ daughter.

By the times of their deaths—Herman, in 2004, at 102; Erna, last year, at 105—they had created a legacy of giving, which they passed along to their daughter and her family. They also left a bequest to JFCS, which will help many people in need for years to come. “They were always interested in others and wanted to share what they had,” says Lee. “They were down-to-earth mensches.”

DR. ALBERT STEINERhe gave without fanfare

A preeminent ophthalmologist and eye surgeon who served as chief of staff of the renowned Green’s Eye Hospital in San Francisco and restored sight to many patients, Dr. Albert Steiner never boasted about his work and didn’t like any fuss made over him. The joy he took in family, patients, and friends was his greatest satisfaction.

A devoted husband to Louise Anixter Steiner for 65 years, Dr. Steiner was also a loving father, avid photographer, painter, and sports enthusiast who was passionate about tennis. When he and Louise lost their youngest child, 6-year-old Keith, to an allergic reaction, they and their surviving children found solace in their family. They also reached out to the Jewish community, including JFCS, where they established the Keith Evan Steiner Memorial Fund to benefit children and families.

It was not the first time that the family had been involved with JFCS. In the early 20th century, Louise’s grandmother, Ethel Green, and mother, Evelyn Anixter, had volunteered at Homewood Terrace, JFCS’ home for children whose parents could not care for them.

“When Dr. Steiner died at 95—on Keith’s birthday—he carried on the family commitment to JFCS through a bequest. “He cared deeply about people,” says Louise. “When he said he’d do something, he did it—without fanfare.”

HILLEL NARINfamily generosity insPires a lasting legaCy

Known as “Hillie,” Hillel Narin was born into a family who valued Jewish community, worship, and philanthropy.

Hillie’s father, Nate, helped found San Francisco’s Congregation Beth Sholom and worked tirelessly to get it off the ground. Ultimately, it prospered and became a leading voice in the Jewish community.

Hillie’s brother described walking the streets of the Richmond District with Hillie, where everyone recognized them because of their parents’ reputation. Hillie was proud to be part of such a well-respected family and was inspired to create a legacy of his own. Throughout his life, he continued his family’s commitment to the well-being of the community, particularly by taking care of its most vulnerable.

Hillie was a long-time friend of JFCS, where he supported programs such as Dream House, which supports women and children who are victims of domestic violence, as well as early childhood mental health programs. He was particularly devoted to helping children, and he made a generous bequest to JFCS that will ensure the community’s children will be taken care of well into the future.

Hillie is remembered for his kindness, concern for others, and devotion to his family. His legacy will not be forgotten.

Bequests That Honor Their Memories

They come from differenT walks of life, buT They share one common inTenTion: To creaTe a sTronger and beTTer communiTy for Those who follow. we celebraTe Those who have died and Those in our midsT who conTinue To do good works.

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What’s Behind the Gift? you’ve read just a few stories of what motivated individuals in the JFCS community to leave a legacy. Do you know the national statistics for what motivates people to leave a bequest in their will or trust? The quiz below highlights some interesting and poignant national trends. (Answers are at the bottom of the page.)

ANSWERS 1. b. 43% already have a charitable bequest, and an additional 8% plan to establish one in the next three years. SOuRCE: BANK OF AMERICA HIGH NET WORTH

STuDy 20122. b. More than four-fifths (82%) of Americans surveyed agree that their parents taught them to give, and 78% have taught or are teaching their children to give

Of those, 71% cite encouraging their children to volunteer time as a way to teach philanthropy. SOuRCE: WHAT MAKES THEM GIVE? STELTER DONOR INSIGHT REPORT, 2012

3. c. Accountant: 53%; financial/wealth advisor: 37%; nonprofit staff: 33%; attorney: 30%: peers :16% SOuRCE: BANK OF AMERICA HIGH NET WORTH STuDy 20124. f. All of the above, although an affinity for a nonprofit’s mission trumps everything.

JfCs BoarD of DireCtors PRESIDENTNancy GoldbergVICE PRESIDENTSPaul Crane DorfmanMichael J. KaplanSusan KolbTREASuRERRichard SegalSECRETARyClaire M. Solot DIRECTORSJoseph AloufIan H. AltmanTammy Crown David DossetterLynn GanzMarsha W. Jacobs, MFTMichael JanisRonald N KahnScott C. KaySharon L. LitskyJan Maisel, MDGalina MiloslavskyJoyce NewstatKaren PellLela Sarnat, PhDZoe SchwartzJames ShapiroCandice StarkRonna StoneStephen SwireIngrid D. Tauber, PhDMarina TikhmanLuba TroyanovskyDouglas A. Winthrop eXecutiVe Director Dr. Anita FriedmanenDowment CommitteeCHAIRPaul Crane DorfmanCarole Breen Harry CohnNancy EpsteinNancy GoldbergJudy HuretMichael J. Kaplan Siesel MaibachDaryl MessingerDr. Raquel NewmanCindy Gilman RedburnJoyce RifkindAlison RossLela Sarnat, PhDHarvey SchlossStephen J. SchwartzVera SteinBonnie Tenenbaum, PhDLuba TroyanovskyBernard WerthJfCs Permanent enDowment funDBarbara Farber, DirectorDESIGN: SF Art Department

Jewish family anD ChilDren’s serviCes of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties2150 Post StreetSan Francisco, CA 94115415-449-1200

www.jfcs.org

1. In 2011, what percentage of high net-worth donors had a will with a charitable provision? a 60%b 43%c 28%d 19%

2. What percentage of donors would agree that their parents taught them to give? a 92%b 82%c 72%d 62%

3. With which type of advisor will a high net-worth donor be most likely to consult before making a charitable decision? a Attorneyb Independent financial/wealth advisorc Accountantd Nonprofit staffe Peers

4. What are the factors that motivate donors to make a charitable bequest? a Desire to reduce taxes

(income, estate, gift, or capital gains)b Encouragement of family or friendsc Desire to support the charityd Encouragement of legal or financial advisore Creating a lasting memorial for oneself or loved onef All of the above

What motivates you to think about your philanthropic legacy? We’d love to hear from you. We can also help you articulate your legacy through an ethical will. For more information, contact Barbara Farber at 415-449-3858 or BarbaraF@jfcs.org.