Mary and Nathan Relles: Life Insurance Gift Will Increase Endowment

Mary and Nathan Relles have supported our community through the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for more than 25 years. They have increased their annual campaign gift every year and contributed time and leadership to the Jewish Federation and other Jewish initiatives. A few years ago, they created a Philanthropic Fund to take their involvement to the next level.

“It’s an amazing vehicle that allows us to make a tax-deductible contribution now and decide later how we want that money to be allocated,” Mary says.

The couple later established a Lion of Judah Endowment through their fund. Mary says, “I am proud to be a Lion of Judah and I love the idea that even after I’m gone the fund will continue to support the work of Women’s Philanthropy for generations to come.”

Every Lion—a woman who contributes $5,000 or more to the Jewish Federation’s annual campaign—can permanently endow her gift by establishing a Fund of $100,000 or more. Since then, the Relleses have taken out a life insurance policy, enabling them to make a larger gift with the Jewish Federation to perpetuate each of their giving and to make gifts to many organizations that are important to them.

The the Jewish Federation’s organizational effectiveness contributed to the Relleses’ decision to establish their fund.

“Everything I’ve ever learned about the Jewish Federation reflects sound judgment, good management of the funds they oversee, and effective allocations,” says Nathan. “As someone whose mailbox (and e-mail inbox) is often filled with countless requests for donations—most from very worthy causes—those factors are important in deciding which organizations will do the most and the best with our contributions.”

The Relleses’ involvement in the Jewish community began in college, but was strengthened by their first mission to Israel through the Jewish Federation.

“When we returned from the mission we became more aware of the many programs locally, in Israel, and throughout the world made possible by the Jewish Federation dollars. We wanted to join the many volunteers and professionals who dedicate so much of their time and money to supporting Jewish continuity,” says Mary.

“As a child of Holocaust survivors, I’ve always been acutely aware of how Jews must help other Jews,” says Nathan. “We’ve all benefited in one way or another from the generosity and support of past generations of Jews. We owe something to those who came before us and those who will follow us.”