“As my ancestors planted for me, I now plant for my children.” – Talmud Taanit 23a
Over the last ten months, the Jewish community worldwide has endured unbelievable heartbreak and tragedy. The rise in antisemitism after October 7th has woken us up to the threat we face as Jews and how we cannot take our modern thriving Jewish Atlanta for granted. It is our responsibility to secure it for future generations so that they can benefit as well.
August is “Make a Will” Month. We hope that the stories will inspire you to create a gift in your will or estate to secure the financial future of JewishATL and beyond.
Lindsay
Michael Kogon’s commitment to legacy and nurturing the next Jewish generation is deeply ingrained in his DNA. With strong Atlanta roots, Michael fondly recalls attending minyan at Ahavath Achim Synagogue with his grandfather, participating in BBYO youth group events, and attending Sunday morning Federation meetings with his family. His parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents exemplified what it means to care for the local Jewish community, demonstrating steadfast actions and a commitment to philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism.
For Michael, signing the Jewish Future Promise (JFP) was an obvious choice. This moral commitment encourages individuals to allocate at least 50% of their charitable contributions after passing to Jewish causes and/or the State of Israel.
Founded by Atlanta philanthropist and community leader Mike Leven, in collaboration with Amy Holtz, JFP aims to help Jewish families prioritize sharing Jewish stories, values, and traditions with loved ones. The Promise is a moral, not legal, commitment. In today’s climate, uniting the Jewish community in support of itself and Israel is more critical than ever.
When asked about the Jewish causes closest to his heart, Michael emphasized his passion for the Federation: “Being Jewish in the world has always been and will always be unpredictable. The only thing that can help us navigate that unpredictability is Federation. It supports our entire Jewish community, regardless of the challenges we face.”
In the Cohen-Kogon family, the connection to Jewish life, values, and causes remains strong. Conversations around the Shabbat dinner table have long focused on Israel, Jewish education, and local communal needs, passing on a culture of philanthropy.
This is one of the powerful outcomes of Jewish Future Promise. JFP encourages families to discuss legacy, philanthropy, and Jewish values meaningfully, helping shape similar conversations around Shabbat dinner tables across the country.
Embedding this practice into family life inspires new opportunities for growth, resources, development, and services for the Jewish community. It fosters an attitude of gratitude, appreciating the contributions of past philanthropists and eagerly giving back.
Michael recalls a pivotal moment during a transformational Jewish experience in college when he participated in a UJA trip to Poland and Israel in the 1980s. “Seeing post-Holocaust Poland and then visiting Israel, which at the time felt like a resistance movement to the Holocaust, made me angry. It showed me that we must protect ourselves because no one else will. That’s when I transitioned from being a consumer of Jewish activity to a worker for Jewish activity.”
Articulating one’s legacy is a key part of the JFP process. For Michael, his legacy is a link in the unbreakable chain of the Cohen-Kogon family, a lineage of dedicated philanthropists and community leaders who have shaped Jewish Atlanta for generations.
In reflecting on the enduring impact of his family’s contributions, Michael encapsulates the essence of their shared commitment: “When thinking about my family’s legacy, I like to think of it as this: Our pin on the map has always been deeply rooted and ready to take on whatever the future brought. My ancestors helped build the community in which I’m living, with an emphasis on the word ‘helped’ – not ‘build’. It has been a collective effort of many multigenerational families together.” To learn more about Jewish Future Promise and strengthen Jewish ATL for the next generation, click here or contact Rachel Rosner at rrosner@jewishatlanta.org.
Known for her warmth, energy, volunteerism, and leadership in Jewish Atlanta, Lynn Saperstein has been a dedicated lay leader at Federation since the 1980s.
Over the years, Lynn’s passion for the Federation’s mission has only deepened. She has served on allocations committees, Women’s Philanthropy committees, and various other volunteer roles. Lynn also pioneered the creation of Women’s Philanthropy’s signature education program, Philanthropy Opportunities with Purpose—better known as POP Ups with Linda Silberman and Michelle Simon. POP Ups are interactive programs designed to educate women about Federation’s initiatives and partner agencies and serve as a tool to engage new women in our work.
As Lynn’s appreciation and excitement for Federation’s mission grew, so did her philanthropic commitment. Lynn proudly became a Lion of Judah in 2012, joining 20,000 Lions of Judah internationally who make an annual philanthropic commitment of $5,400 to their local Federation. Inspired by the traditions of tzedakah (righteousness/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), Lions of Judah are dedicated to promoting Jewish continuity and caring for vulnerable Jews worldwide.
In March, Lynn traveled with Atlanta Lions of Judah to Mexico City on a Federation Women’s Mission where she experienced a transformative moment. During the mission, the group visited an ORT school and met with young Jewish children. It was then that Lynn realized the importance of ensuring the continuity of Jewish traditions and culture long beyond her lifetime. She reflected, “I’m not going to be here forever, but I want to make sure these kids grow up to have Jewish kids themselves, and that our traditions and culture are passed on. But how do I do that?”
In her concern for the future, Lynn consulted Arielle Orlansky, Federation’s Senior Director of Women’s Philanthropy, who spoke with Lynn about endowing her Lion of Judah gift. “This was the first time I had heard of a Lion of Judah Endowment (often referred to as LOJE), but I was thrilled and relieved to learn about it. Judaism, our connection to Israel, and our culture can continue with commitments like this,” said Lynn.
Lynn is particularly passionate about Jewish education and raising children in a Jewish home. She hopes that interfaith inclusion and education will remain a priority for the community. “This is how we ensure our culture, religion, and love of Judaism continues. We’ve preserved these traditions for 3,000 years, and with this work, we can do it for another 3,000.”
Lynn encourages others to consider endowing their Lion of Judah gift. “If you are able, just do it! This is one way to make a difference even after you’re gone. It’s a no-brainer.”
For Lynn, this gift is not just about her legacy but also about inspiring her daughters and grandchildren to continue the tradition of tzedakah. “When I think about legacy, I want to be remembered as a great mom, a great wife, and a great grandmother who believed in important causes and worked for them. The things I did were for the community, and the Federation is the one that reaches beyond my community.”
Contact Lindsay Kopecky, the VP of Atlanta Jewish Foundation, at lkopecky@jewishatlanta.org to learn more about the Lion of Judah Endowment.
The Young Philanthropy Fellows Fund Young Philanthropy Fellows is a small cohort learning experience for teens aged 13-15 focused on philanthropic giving and community engagement. This program will provide teens with practical skills to put strategic grantmaking practices into action. Teens will learn about systemic issues of justice as well as immediate charitable needs in the community through hands-on experiences with non-profit organizations that will inform the group’s ultimate giving decision.
Are you interested in learning more about creating your own endowment with the Atlanta Jewish Foundation?
A Foundation Endowment Fund reaches further into the future, and further into the health, welfare, and vibrancy of the causes you care about. It is a permanent fund, created in your name or a person’s name you wish to honor, that supports one or more charitable organizations or causes. It can be created both during and after one’s lifetime.
Federation Women’s Journey to Morocco
November 5 – 13, 2024
SAVE THE DATE!
Community Conversations
November 13 More details to come soon