Women's giving, on a national level, is the fastest growing component of annual campaigns, now representing more than 22 percent and rising every year. In our community we have two recognition programs for women's giving: for those giving a minimum gift of $1,800 there is the Pomegranate level and for a minimum gift of $5,000 there is the Lion of Judah. Each level of giving is profoundly important for our community and for Israel.

Women's campaigns have assumed an increasingly significant role in raising funds for United Jewish Community's Federation. Today, there are nearly 13,000 Lions of Judah in North America. And women can perpetuate their own giving beyond a lifetime by establishing a Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE), a fund that permanently endows a woman's annual gift to the Jewish Federation.

Locally, LOJE funds will benefit our agencies and programs critical to our Jewish heritage. Worldwide, your LOJE will help Israel continue to flourish as a home and safe haven for Jews. By providing a permanent endowment through LOJE, you will help the community as a whole prepare for both needs we can anticipate and for unexpected occurrences.

Once a LOJE fund is established, it is invested and carefully managed for maximum yield. The Lion of Judah Endowment is established with a minimum of twenty times the amount of the intended perpetual annual gift. Women who give at the $5000 level should consider an endowment of at least $100,000 to effectively perpetuate their gift.

Here is how it can be done:

A life insurance policy - The reasonable cost and tax benefits make this particularly appealing for younger donors. If the Foundation is named owner and beneficiary, premiums may be taxdeductible.

Sale of appreciated stock - Creating your LOJE in this way can minimize capital gains.

An IRA or pension plan - The Treasury rules regarding taxation of distributions of IRA assets make these assets ideal for transfer to a LOJE

A charitable life-income plan, charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity - This offers the benefit of life income payments with tax deduction. The remainder may be contributed to the LOJE.

A simple bequest in a will or trust.

An outright gift - This is the easiest way to create an endowment, using cash or appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds or real estate.

If securing the future of the Jewish people is important to you, including the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties in your estate plan will help accomplish this goal. To learn more contact David Schultz, Foundation Director or Bob Seltzer, Esq., Executive Vice President, Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties. 822-4404.