Planned and Estate Giving: The Chai Society - Bet Am Shalom, A Reconstructionist Synagogue, White Plains, NY

What is the Chai Society?

Chai means life. The Chai Society refers to an array of planned and estate giving techniques that you can use to sustain the long-term financial health of Bet Am Shalom. We are, of course, grateful for all of your support during your lifetime as well – but there are various ways that you can “pay it forward” and leave a wonderful legacy for our shared community. The techniques discussed here are distinct from contributions you make during your lifetime and do not affect your assets while you are alive. If you tell us that you have taken steps to implement any of these techniques, we will happily welcome you to the Society. Click here to complete a Chai Society Intent Form to send to the office or go to Shul Cloud to complete it online.

It is easier than you think to give a gift that will strengthen Bet Am Shalom for the future.

Click on any link below to learn more about how you can make a lasting difference to our Bet Am Shalom community or reach out to any one of our Chai Society Ambassadors.

FAQs

Retirement Accounts

From your Will

Life Insurance

Bank or Brokerage Account

Donor Advised Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chai Society?

Chai Society refers to an array of planned and estate giving techniques that you can use to sustain the long-term financial health of Bet Am Shalom. We are, of course, grateful for all of your support during your lifetime as well – but there are various ways that you can “pay it forward” and leave a wonderful legacy for our shared community. The techniques discussed here are distinct from contributions you make during your lifetime and do not affect your assets while you are alive. If you tell us that you have taken steps to implement any of these techniques, we will happily welcome you to the Society. Click here to complete a Chai Society Intent Form to send to the office or go to Shul Cloud to complete it online.

Is the Chai Society the same as other methods of giving to Bet Am Shalom annually?

Planned and Estate Giving is typically different from making a cash donation, donating securities, or making a qualified distribution from a retirement plan during your lifetime. Of course, all gifts are greatly appreciated, but the way to make a Chai Society bequest involves different steps to create gifts that you leave from your estate to Bet Am Shalom after your death.

How do planned and estate giving techniques provide support for Bet Am Shalom after my death?

There are multiple ways to give. Click on any of the links below for more information about the specific methods

Can I leave some percentage of my account value to Bet Am Shalom or must I leave the entire value as a gift?

With most of the techniques for planned and estate giving, you can generally leave all or any percentage of the value of an asset to Bet Am Shalom. Even just 1% of the value of any asset can become a bequest that would be meaningful to the synagogue. The gifting of a bank or brokerage account generally requires leaving 100% of the assets in that account.

How do I start?

Every type of asset entails a different way to leave a gift to Bet Am Shalom. Please click on the type of asset that you would consider making a gift for greater detail, read the account type descriptions on Shul Cloud, or reach out to any of our Chai Society Ambassadors. You can speak with your family and financial or tax advisor as well to let them know your wishes.

Once I make a designation for Bet Am Shalom as a recipient of a gift, can I ever change my mind?

Yes, of course. These designations are not legally binding and can be changed at any time up until your death.

How will my gift be used?

Gifts will typically, without restriction, supplement the general funds that Bet Am Shalom uses, consistent with the annual budget developed and approved by the Board of Trustees, to support ongoing operations and build on the lasting legacy and community that we have built together.

How do I document Bet Am Shalom in any of these different forms of gifts?

Simply denote Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Tax ID 13-1913705

Is there anything I should do after making a Planned and Estate Giving designation for Bet Am Shalom?

Please sign into Shul Cloud and complete a Chai Society Intent Form so that Bet Am Shalom can be aware of your intended gift and thank you appropriately. Or fill out the form by clicking on the link, printing and completing the form, and sending it to the Bet Am Shalom office.

Who are the Chai Society Ambassadors?

Contact any of the ambassadors to ask more questions or get involved.

Chai Society Ambassadors

Terri Simon

How to make a gift from your Retirement Accounts

Typically, retirement plans require you to give instructions about how plan assets should be distributed upon your death, usually by designating the percentage that you want to leave to each named beneficiary. The percentages to be left to all named beneficiaries will total 100% of the account value. You can name Bet Am Shalom as a beneficiary of any percentage you designate.

For example, if your present Retirement Account is set up so that upon your death you would leave 50% to Child #1 and 50% to Child #2, you could change your designation to leave 2% to Bet Am Shalom and leave 49% to Child #1 and 49% to Child #2.

Remember, you can decide the designated percentage of any retirement account, and you can change your percentage designation at any time up until your death.

Designations often may be made directly through the self-service internet access, Beneficiary section, of your account. However, financial firms may each have slightly different ways to make these changes. If you are not comfortable with on-line self-service, your financial advisor can help make the changes for you.

When designating Bet Am Shalom, please remember to use the entire name and address, including the tax ID number.  
- Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Tax ID 13-1913705

Always contact your financial or tax advisor to determine the best way for you to proceed

After you make a designation for Bet Am Shalom. Please sign into Shul Cloud and complete a Chai Society Intent Form so that Bet Am Shalom can be aware of your intended gift and thank you appropriately. Or fill out the Chai Society Intent Form by clicking on the link, printing and completing the form, and sending it to the Bet Am Shalom office.

How to make a gift from your Will

You can use your will to specify a dollar amount or a specific percentage of your estate to leave to Bet Am Shalom. For example, your will could provide:
- “I give and bequeath the sum of $___ (or __% of my residuary estate) to Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, to be used in support of its general charitable or religious purposes.”
You should contact your estate attorney to make sure the changes are made appropriately and legally to be acted upon your estate during and after probate. You can generally change these instructions with a new will or codicil, with the assistance of your estate attorney.
When designating Bet Am Shalom, please remember to use the entire name and address, including the tax ID number.
- Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Tax ID 13-1913705
Always contact your financial or tax advisor, and attorney, for the best way for you to proceed.

How to make a gift from your Life Insurance

Typically, insurance policies require you to direct how the policy proceeds should be distributed upon your death, usually by designating the percentage that you want to leave to each beneficiary you choose to name, with percentages totaling 100%.

For example, if your present Life Insurance policy is set up so that upon your death you were leaving 50% to Child #1 and 50% to Child #2, you could change your designation to leave 2% to Bet Am Shalom and leave 49% to Child #1 and 49% to Child #2.

Remember, you can decide how much to give as a percentage of any life insurance policy and you can change your percentage designation at any time.

Gifts from life insurance policies can often be made directly through the internet access that you have to your accounts. If you are not comfortable with on-line self-service, your financial advisor or insurance agent can help make the changes for you.

When designating Bet Am Shalom, please remember to use the entire name and address, including the tax ID number.
- Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Tax ID 13-1913705

Always contact your financial or tax advisor, and attorney, for the best way for you to proceed.

How to make a gift from your Bank or Brokerage Account

You can gift an individually owned bank account or brokerage account, so that 100% of the assets in the account would go directly to Bet Am Shalom upon your death. These assets will be kept separate from your estate or probate proceedings.
This type of gift requires contacting your financial institution to have the account name / registration changed to include a new title of the account, so that the title includes the phrase “TOD [ Transfer on Death]”, or “POD [Payable on Death]”, designating Bet Am Shalom Synagogue as part of the account registration.
When designating Bet Am Shalom, please remember to use the entire name and address, including the tax ID number.
- Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Tax ID 13-1913705
Always contact your financial or tax advisor for the best way for you to proceed.

How to make a gift from your Donor Advised Fund

If you have a donor advised fund, you can name Bet Am Shalom Synagogue as the charitable successor / beneficiary of your donor advised fund.
The amount to be gifted to Bet Am Shalom can be stated as a percentage or a fixed dollar amount of the fund.
Contact your Donor Advised Fund sponsor to make these changes.
When designating Bet Am Shalom, please remember to use the entire name and address, including the tax ID number.
- Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Tax ID 13-1913705
Always contact your financial or tax advisor for the best way for you to proceed.
You can always give to Bet Am Shalom during your lifetime from a Donor Advised Fund.

“Bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, funerals – all of our family’s most significant events were held at Bet Am. Bob and I joined when services were held in a church on Central Ave. Of course you are in my will!”
Marge Feder