The Book of Life is a program that recognizes donors who have made a commitment to secure the future of the Jewish community either through a moral promise to make a permanent endowed legacy in the future (“Promised Gift”) or by establishing a current permanent endowed legacy that may be funded either during your lifetime or in the future, such as through a bequest or a gift of life insurance (“Legacy Gift”).  The cornerstone of The Book of Life is that you decide that you want to create a permanent gift for to the Jewish community – for Nashville, Israel or elsewhere.  You may not have yet decided exactly how you will fund your legacy or precisely which causes or organizations will be the beneficiaries.  But by making this moral commitment now, you would be recognized as a Promised Gift donor.  On the other hand, you may be ready to secure your legacy gift now and establish a Legacy Gift.   And some may have established a specific legacy some time ago before the inception of The Book of Life program and already qualify for recognition in The Book of Life program.  

What does The Book of Life look like?

The Book of Life is presented on a large plasma screen television.  This electronic television format runs continuously, and the viewer is able to interact with the material on the screen with a user-friendly “hit and click” button feature.  This button feature allows the viewer to access donor names and additional information about the Jewish Foundation of Nashville and its recipient agencies. 

Where is The Book of Life located?

The Book of Life is available for the entire community to view and enjoy in the lobby of the Gordon Jewish Community Center building.  It is surrounded by a beautiful sculpture designed by Nashville’s own Alex Limor using the logo of the Jewish Foundation of Nashville as its inspiration.

How do I qualify to participate in The Book of Life?

Everyone can qualify for The Book of Life, from every economic segment and from every walk of life.  The gifts represented in The Book of Life know no bounds of age, wealth or affiliation.  All that is required is that you make your promise with a commitment to fulfill your intent to leave something to the Jewish community.  Those who establish a Legacy Gift or have already had the vision to create a permanent legacy are already eligible to be inscribed in The Book of Life. 

What are the benefits of participating in The Book of Life?

Your name will be added to the electronic Book of Life in an alphabetical listing.  Further, you will have the benefit of your own donor “electronic page” if your Legacy Gift meets the recognition level as described below.  With your permission, we will also publish your name in The Observer and in our Annual Report as one who has made the commitment to endow the future of our Jewish heritage.

How will I be recognized in The Book of Life?

The Book of Life will feature our donors in the following ways:

.                  •  If you make a Promised Gift through a promise to establish a permanent endowed legacy (as an endowment whose income would be available for use in perpetuity) in the future, your name will be listed in The Book of Life.

.                  •  If you establish a Legacy Gift through a permanent endowed legacy up to $25,000, your name will be listed in The Book of Life.

.                  •  If you establish a Legacy Gift through a permanent endowed legacy of $25,000 or more, you will have your own personal “electronic donor page” in The Book of Life that will feature your photograph and a personal statement.  Further, if you establish such a gift anytime through the end of December 2007, you will receive special listing recognition as a Charter Member of The Book of Life.

What are these personal statements?

Personal statements reflect the histories, hopes, values and visions of those who are inscribed in The Book of Life.  In your personal statement, you share why you have created this legacy plan or your hopes for the future.  In it you may speak of your grandparents, to your grandchildren or about the organizations that have benefited from your leadership.  The “electronic donor pages” serve as a communal philanthropic archive enabling future generations to read about those who helped our Jewish community thrive.

Will the amount of my gift be published in The Book of Life?

No.  There is no listing of any individual donor gift amount. 

What happens when I make a Promised Gift?

If you have made a promise to establish a permanent endowed legacy in the future, the next step is to take the appropriate action as to how you will fund your legacy.  Consult with your lawyer, accountant and/or your financial advisor.  We at the Jewish Foundation of Nashville will also be available to meet with you and with them.  Once you create a Legacy Gift, you will then be recognized in The Book of Life as having established a Legacy Gift.  We will provide a two-year window for Promised Gifts to be listed in The Book of Life.  After that time, all Promised Gifts that have not been converted into Legacy Gifts (testamentary or otherwise) shall be removed from their listing in The Book of Life.

What types of gifts qualify for inclusion in The Book of Life program?

We recognize that each donor’s situation is unique, and many types of gifts will qualify for inclusion in The Book of Life.  However, the following are examples of some types of instruments that may qualify:

          .            •           A bequest in your will

          .            •           A life insurance policy in any amount naming the Jewish Foundation as owner and beneficiary

          .            •           An IRA designating the Jewish Foundation as beneficiary

          .            •           A designated fund restricted to a Jewish agency, organization or synagogue

          .            •           A PACE or LOJE endowment fund

          .            •           A Charitable Gift Annuity

Although proceeds can be directed to any one or more Jewish charities, we also encourage you to consider directing a portion of those proceeds to the Jewish Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund – the source for community wide grants.

What if I already have a Donor Advised Fund with the Jewish Foundation of Nashville?

A donor advised fund does not qualify for you to be inscribed in The Book of Life.  These funds are not considered permanent funds since the fund advisor has the ability to recommend the principal and income for distribution.  Further, they do not support any Jewish organization, agency or synagogue in perpetuity.  However, you may use a donor advised fund to set up an endowed Legacy Gift which could then qualify you to be inscribed in The Book of Life.  This can be accomplished simply and easily by making a recommendation from a donor advised fund to create a new endowed fund.

Can I be inscribed in The Book of Life if I have established an endowed gift with any Jewish organization or have made plans in my will to do so?

Yes, you would qualify to be listed without an electronic donor page in The Book of Life if you have already established or have made plans in your will for establishing an endowed gift of $25,000 or more with a local Jewish organization, agency or synagogue.

What if I have already arranged for a gift in my will to the Jewish Foundation of Nashville?

If you have arranged for an unrestricted gift or any amount to the Jewish Foundation of Nashville in your will, you already qualify as a Book of Life member.  Donors whose gifts are $25,000 or more will have an electronic donor page.  Donors whose gifts are up to $25,000 will receive a listing.  If you have left a gift to the Jewish Foundation to set up an endowed fund which exclusively benefits only a non-Jewish organization, however, such gift would not qualify for The Book of Life program.

Can I be inscribed in The Book of Life if I have a permanent endowed fund housed with another Foundation?

If you have a permanent endowed fund currently housed with another foundation type of organization, or if your estate plans provide to establish such a fund to be housed with another foundation type of organization, with a value of at least $25,000 and the beneficiary of which is a local Nashville Jewish organization, agency or synagogue, you would qualify to be listed without an electronic donor page in The Book of Life. 

How do I find out more about The Book of Life?