Simon Family Legacy Society

Your endowment gift of $5,000 is honored as a member of the Gesher Society.

Current Members:

Profile: Warren Aleck

I became involved in the Jewish community gradually after my father died and began attending regular minyan at Beth El, where I have been a member all my life.  Learning how to daven and lead the service, I made the commitment and have been doing it ever since. I attend every week day and help make the minyan for those who are saying Kaddish – that’s not a bad feeling.

Helen and I believe in philanthropy.  It’s a good feeling to be able to give to charitable organizations, and then observe the ripple effect when those organizations help the people they serve.  Obviously, it’s rougher for many of us to give today because of the economy…but while many have had to cut back, it’s important not to cut out because the need is even stronger.

My answer to that is to encourage people to include their favorite charitable organizations in their estate planning.  There’s no reason why someone couldn’t consider what organizations they care about and arrange to help them even after they are gone – hopefully many of our Jewish organizations are on their lists.

Profile: Sylva Altschul

Although I moved from Tidewater in 2001, Norfolk was my home for more than 60 years.  I moved to Norfolk when I married my husband, Lemuel, in 1941, and we became very much a part of the Jewish community.  We were both very involved with B’nai Brith, holding officer positions locally and at the state level. 

I feel it’s important to support the organizations that make up the Jewish community and so I established the Ezra charitable gift annuities to benefit TJF, JFS, Ohef Sholom Temple and the Beth Sholom Home.  Although I now live with my daughter, BJ, in Silver Spring, I send warm wishes to the Jews of Tidewater.  They should live and be well.