A bar or bat mitzvah is a wonderful simcha, and it is great to share the joy with friends when their children reach this milestone. Choosing an appropriate gift for a child you do not know, however, can be a challenge.
Rather than guessing what the child might like, you might consider adding to the meaning of the celebration by giving to tzedakah in the child’s name. Many children choose to establish a B’nai Tzedek fund in their own names on becoming bar/bat mitzvah, and would welcome an additional contribution. Others have special interests – perhaps a summer camp program that they enjoy – and would appreciate a donation made to a scholarship fund to enable a less fortunate child to attend.
Would you like to honor friends or relatives on special birthdays or anniversaries? Remember someone who touched your life? Let someone know you appreciate something he or she did for you?
Whatever that person’s interest, you’ll probably find an endowment fund (including Jewish Community Center Second Century Funds and funds from the Jewish Community of Louisville’s Foundation for Planned Giving) at the Jewish Foundation of Louisville that will support his/her charitable goals. You’ll have an appropriate gift and it will always be within your budget.
A complete list of existing funds can be accessed by clicking the “Donate Today” button. On the left side of the page is a menu listing categories of funds housed at the Jewish Foundation of Louisville. Click on the category of your choice for a list of individual funds. You can make a tribute donation online or call 459-0660.
Don’t see one that meets your needs? Contact Matt Goldberg at the Jewish Foundation of Louisville, 238-2707 or mgoldberg@jewishlouisville.org to explore the possibilities.
