The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia established the Tikkun Olam Society to recognize those members of the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community who take this value to heart by making a gift to help future generations of the community.
Tikkun olam: the idea that people have a duty to “repair the world” — to leave the world better than they found it. This is a central principle of Jewish religious and ethical thought, which has guided generations of Jews.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia established the Tikkun Olam Society to recognize those members of the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community who take this value to heart by making a gift to help future generations of the community.
Bertha Roth is one such person. Now in her mid-90s, Roth has lived in the same home for more than 60 years. She still drives and does errands. She remembers her family being helped by the Federation of Jewish Charities (the Jewish Federation’s predecessor) when her father was out of work during the Great Depression; she uses the Jewish Federation-funded Rhawnhurst NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) to help with home repairs today. Roth deeply appreciates the Jewish community’s help to her and her family through the years and feels an obligation to give back, whether by clipping food coupons from the newspaper that she gives to KleinLife for others to use or by making a bequest to the Jewish Federation in her will.
Jack Belitsky also recognizes a duty to repair the world, in his lifetime and for the future. A teacher in the Neshaminy School District for 36 years, he has given extensively of his time, talents and treasure to the Jewish community. He packs and delivers meals at KleinLife and makes telephone calls at the Jewish Federation’s Super Sunday; he leads book groups and serves on the Jewish Federation’s Board of Trustees and a myriad of committees with the Jewish Federation and other community organizations; he has also served nine terms as President of The Congregations of Ner Zedek in Northeast Philadelphia. Like Roth, he has made a bequest to the Jewish Federation in his will.
The most common way of making a planned gift to the Jewish Federation is through a bequest. Any bequest, of any size, makes one eligible for membership in the Tikkum Olam Society. Benefits of membership include:
- Being recognized by the Jewish Federation at the Tikkun Olam Society Thank You Event, scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, and at the annual Circle of Partners Event on Tuesday, June 7, at which Belitsky and Roth will be honored.
- Receiving a framed Certificate of Philanthropy.
- After you pass on, your family and friends will be invited to memorialize you at the Jewish Federation’s annual Legacy and Remembrance event.
- Knowing you are making a difference in this world and strengthening the Jewish community for future generations.
Ellen Sklar, Senior Endowment Officer at the Jewish Federation, says: “It is a privilege to know Bertha, Jack and all of these generous people. They inspire me and make me realize how strong a commitment the members of the Jewish community have to ensuring a strong Jewish community for generations to come.”
To learn more about the Tikkun Olam Society and about making a gift to future generations of the Jewish community, please contact Ellen Sklar at 215.832.0574 or esklar@jfgp.org.
