The Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona announced plans for its 20th Anniversary celebration of the Endowment Book of Life signing event, which will take place on February 7th at the Tucson Jewish Community Center.
The Foundation's Executive Director Carol Karsch, who is retiring after 23 years, will be honored and presented with a Recognition Award on behalf of the State of Israel by Uri Bar-Ner of the America-Israel Friendship League and former Israeli Ambassador to Turkey.
More than 20 years ago, Karsch envisioned the Endowment Book of Life, which provides signers an opportunity to promise to establish a future legacy for the community.
More than 550 members of the Tucson Jewish community have signed the book since, and of that number 188 have finalized their legacy/gift plans and more than 300 others have held conversations to begin the process. 41 other communities throughout North America have adopted this innovative approach.
"Those who sign the Endowment Book of Life are taking the first step in a commitment to individual legacy planning, and under Carol's guidance, signers experience the incredible satisfaction that comes with recognizing themselves as philanthropists," said Keri Silvyn, President of the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.
The event will also be honoring 12 community partners - among them Congregation Young Israel - who have agreed to participate in a nationally and locally funded pilot program known as Areivim, whose goal is to encourage community members to establish legacies to benefit each of the partners.
The Jewish Community Foundation has distributed more than $70 million dollars in grants to more than 500 non-profit organizations supporting both Jewish and non-Jewish causes in Tucson, Israel, nationally, and throughout the world.
Reservations for the February 11 Endowment Book of life Signing Event must be made in advance by calling 520-577-0388 or emailing [email protected]. There is no charge to attend. Registration begins at 5:30 PM with a light buffet supper being served at 6 PM. JCC babysitting services will be provided upon request.