Paying it Forward

Bart Mellits and Barbra Berley-Mellits saw each of their three children come home from Alexander Muss High School in Israel more mature, more secure in their Jewish identity, more connected to Israel, and remarkably prepared for independent college life. Now as new grandparents, and with the years of Day School tuition behind them, they were seeking a way to make Israel education accessible to more teens while building their legacy. That’s where Jewish National Fund-USA Donor Advised Funds came in.

“If we can help one kid who couldn’t afford it to go to Muss, then we’ve succeeded, and hopefully we’ll help many more than that,” said Bart about why they chose to establish a Donor Advised Fund to issue grants for High School in Israel programs. The Mellitses explained that the vital importance of Muss begins with building a connection to Israel for teens in their formative years, but it extends to ensuring that the U.S. always has a strong base of Israel advocates who have seen it with their own eyes, walked it with their own feet, and understand its unique cultural and geopolitical reality. Barbra detailed, “It was important to me that our kids develop a connection to their heritage that is rooted in a nuanced understanding of the situation in Israel.”

Speaking energetically about why they’re committed to giving to Muss, they explained that it’s about creating an opportunity for a young person to grow into themselves As Bart described, “The kids are on their own, interacting with people from all over the world, and exploring difficult mature topics. They think deeply about who they are. What this gives kids and how it prepares them for college and for life is profound.” Barbra added “The experience helped them develop leadership skills and empowered them to take on responsibilities to use those skills.”

The Mellitses are new to legacy planning, and Jewish National Fund-USA’s Donor Advised Funds presented a chance for them to determine their impact now. Barbra and Bart are excited that their grants will contribute to life-changing experiences for Jewish teens. Speaking about their hopes for their new grandson, they say they simply want him to love being Jewish like they do. Especially considering that his dad, Josh Mellits, is a Jewish National Fund-USA professional, future Muss alum Zev is sure to do so!