What do Birthright Israel and charitable trusts have in common? They’re both gifts that keep on giving. 

The gift of Birthright Israel has changed the lives of more than 800,000 Jewish young adults since 1999, helping secure a vibrant future for generations of Jews to come. Charitable trusts offer you a financial solution that supports your values and your legacy. 

Birthright Israel Foundation’s Planned Giving program is beneficial to both Birthright Israel and your family. Your investment secures the future of the Jewish people, including you and your loved ones. 

A charitable trust with Birthright Israel Foundation lets you achieve your philanthropic aspirations and your long-term financial goals. It’s an easy, hassle-free process to set up and manage, and it honors your values forever.

Is a vibrant Jewish future important to you, even beyond your lifetime? Birthright Israel Foundation offers several planned giving options, including two types of charitable trusts. They benefit not just the continuity of the Birthright Israel trip, but you and your beneficiaries as well.

Charitable Trusts

Birthright Israel Foundation offers several long-term giving options, including charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts. We work with you directly to figure out which type of gift best fits your individual needs.

Remainder Trusts

Both our charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT) and charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) provide a fixed rate of return that’s typically a gain on what you earned before. You won’t have to pay tax on the long-term capital gain on contributed appreciated property. You also won’t have to pay estate taxes on the contribution and its appreciation in the trust. Plus, it gives you a current income tax deduction for the value of the future charitable gift.

Charitable Lead Trust 

On the flip side, a charitable lead trust works to your advantage when transferring your assets to your children or grandchildren. This type of charitable trust should only be considered with guidance from your estate planning professional.

Why Birthright Israel?

Birthright Israel Foundation raises funds in the United States to help send nearly 50,000 Jewish young adults to Israel every year. Though most are apathetic toward their Jewish identity before the trip, they return with a strong connection to Israel and lifelong pride for their Jewish heritage.

Alumnus Daniel Winston describes the impact of Birthright Israel quite eloquently: “If it wasn’t for Birthright Israel, I don’t know if I’d still be Jewish 10 years down the road.”

The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University has been surveying Birthright Israel alumni since the trip originated in 1999. Their research illustrates the many ways Birthright Israel sparks a lifetime impact on identity, family, community, culture, and continuity. According to the survey:

  • 85% of alumni said that Birthright Israel was a life-changing experience.
  • 74% of alumni feel a connection to Israel.
  • 41% of participants are more likely to participate in Jewish social events.
  • 84% of alumni are raising their children Jewish.

Birthright Israel Foundation changes the lives of young Jews, tens of thousands at a time. We talk to alumni every day who were so inspired after the Birthright Israel trip that they went on to marry Jewish and live a Jewish life. Many work for Jewish organizations, from their local Jewish Federation to AIPAC. Some alumni and their parents have become Birthright Israel Foundation donors, helping to give other Jewish young adults a trip to Israel, at no cost.

“I remember when I went on Birthright Israel, people were still suspicious about it being a free trip,” said alumna Marina Yudborovsky, CEO of the Jewish organization, Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG). “I recall my parents being especially reticent. ‘Nothing is free,’ they insisted. Well, Birthright Israel is truly a revolutionary idea, and I am thankful for the incredible opportunity it provided. Now my work allows me to help ensure this opportunity exists for others, which in itself is a real privilege.”

Make Your Gift a Legacy

None of Birthright Israel’s contributions to the Jewish future would be possible without our nearly 40,000 individual donors. By helping Jewish young adults claim their birthright, our supporters are stakeholders in the continuity of the Jewish people in the Diaspora and Israel.

“I owe my love and commitment to Israel and the Jewish community to my Birthright Israel experience,” said alumna Maya Rosen. “I am forever thankful for the donors who have given me one of the greatest gifts ever, the gift of Israel.”

Dr. Marty Schulman is a Birthright Israel Foundation legacy supporter for one good reason: “In the end, I’ve contributed to something that will go on.” Schulman knows that a gift to Birthright Israel Foundation is an everlasting gift to the Jewish people. 

If you would like to secure and support the Jewish future and your family, even after you are gone, consider a charitable trust. As a member of the Planned Giving Program today, you will help secure a better tomorrow. 

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