Bequests

What better way to commemorate a lifetime of good memories and successes, or perpetuate the memory of a loved one, as well as secure your wishes for the future, than with a bequest in your will to Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael), Inc. (JNF). Through your bequest, your name and generosity live on via JNF's critical projects in Israel, enabling the land to grow and fulfill its destiny on behalf of Jewish people everywhere. At the same time, your bequest may protect your assets from taxes and other expenses.

After providing for your loved ones, there are numerous ways to help JNF's crucial programs continue in your memory—important projects in ecology and afforestation; water conservation; building roads, parks and playgrounds; education; research and development; and tourism and recreation.

This page outlines the various ways that you can make a charitable bequest -- a gift specified in your will and given after your death -- to help ensure that Jewish National Fund's essential work will continue.

Bequest of a Sum

A Bequest of a Sum is simply a dollar amount you specify to leave to JNF, ensuring that your gift is exactly what you had in mind.

Bequest of a Sum Sample Language:

I give the sum of (insert dollar amount) to the JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL), INC., a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, now having its principal place of business at 42 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Specific Bequest

A Specific Bequest enables you to designate a particular asset, including stocks, bonds, and real estate, or tangible personal property, such as art work, antiques, jewelry, rare books or collectibles.

Residuary Bequest

After all debts, taxes, expenses and other bequests have been paid, a Residuary Bequest to JNF makes the remainder of your property or assets available to help fund our most urgent programs.

Residuary Bequest Sample Language:

All of the rest, residue and remainder of my property, both real and personal and wheresoever situate, I give, devise and bequeath to the JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL), INC., a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, now having its principal place of business at 42 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Percentage Bequest

You may choose to leave a specific percentage of your remaining estate through a Percentage Bequest in the event you wish to allocate a portion of your assets elsewhere.

Percentage Bequest Sample Language:

I give all of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, and wherever situated, which I may own or may be entitled to at the time of my death, all of which property shall be known as my "Residuary Estate", as follow: ( percent) to JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL), INC., a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, now having its principal place of business at 42 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Restricted Bequest

You may prefer to specify your bequest for a particular purpose, such as to plant a grove or forest, fund a summer camp, park, playground, water research or any number of other important projects. This is a wonderful way to memorialize a family member or a friend by providing support for a JNF program which he or she supported.

Restricted Bequest Sample Language:

I give the sum of (insert dollar amount) to the JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL), INC., a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, now having its principal place of business at 42 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021 to be used for (name of specific project desired).

Designating Other Assets

Leaving assets, such as pension plans, IRAs, Keoghs, 401(k), and life insurance to your heirs may be subject to income, estate and other transfer taxes. Designating Jewish National Fund as beneficiary to all or a percentage of your plan assets eliminates these taxes. Instead of going to probate after your death, the proceeds go directly to JNF as a charitable institution, giving the organization the full benefit of your generosity.Click here to download sample bequest language. To speak to a JNF Planned Giving Specialist, please call (800) 562-7526.