Ways to Contribute/Tzedakah

 

The concept of tzedakah –usually translated to mean “charity,” but closer in meaning to righteousness or justice—is a central commandment of Judaism. We are urged to incorporate acts of tzedakah into our daily lives.

 

Charitable gifts have built and sustained our Temple throughout our history. Support from congregants continues to provide the means by which we unify our community. Tzedekah underwrites our worship opportunities, helps provide our educational programs, and provides the means to heal our broken world through acts of chesed and tikkun olam. 

Charitable giving enables full participation in our community for those who might otherwise be unable to express their Jewish identities. Tzedakah also provides scholarships for our camps and for students at our nursery, elementary and religious schools.

Where to Give

We always welcome gifts for general operating support, which offer the most flexibility in directing funds where need is greatest. Congregants have also established special funds which direct support to specific uses. These provide opportunities to honor individuals, celebrate special occasions or memorialize loved ones. Please contact our development office with questions about any of our donation funds or for assistance with contributions.

A partial list of our special funds includes:

• Ann & Sam Bernstein Children’s Library Fund
• Audrey & Sydney Irmas Campus
• Bosse Family Library Fund
• Brawerman Elementary School
• Building Lives: The Campaign for Wilshire Boulevard Temple
  
• Clergy Fund
• Edgar F. Magnin Fund (Temple)
• Fields Scholarship Fund (for the elementary & nursery schools)
• Tikkun Olam (food pantry)
• Music Publication Fund

• Prayerbook Dedication ($36 per book)
• Pulpit Flowers
• Rabbis’ Fund
• Religious Schools Scholarships
• Sigmund Hecht Library Fund
• Steve Breuer Conference Center
• Temple Campus
• Alfred Wolf Campership Fund

Ways to Give

Cash or check: The Temple welcomes donations at any time, as well as monthly, quarterly or annual pledges.  You may also make contributions with Visa, MasterCard or Discover cards.

Tribute or Memorial Gift: 

You can send a personal message of congratulation or condolence in exactly your own words when you make an $18-minimum tax-deductible contribution to the Temple in honor of a special occasion (baby naming, brit mila, birthday, wedding, anniversary, bar or bat mitzvah, graduation, yahrzeit, or wish for speedy recovery).  The Temple mails tribute and memorial cards promptly, and sends donors separate gift acknowledgments. The donation amount is not disclosed to the tribute recipient. 

United Way: You may designate Wilshire Boulevard Temple as the recipient of your United Way payroll gifts.

Gifts of Stocks, Bonds or Real Estate: Avoid capital gains taxes by donating shares of appreciated stock or real estate directly to Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Confer with your financial or tax adviser regarding other tax benefits that may apply.

Insurance:  Wilshire Boulevard Temple can be named as the primary or secondary beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

Bequests: You may designate Wilshire Boulevard Temple as the beneficiary of all or part of your estate in your will or trust.

Vehicle Donation: Due to tax code regulations regarding vehicle donations, these kinds of in-kind contributions are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the development office for further information. Cars 4 Causes >>