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Dear Fellow Congregants,
As the Board of Directors of Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor, we are writing to you about the enduring legacy of our Jewish community and the vital role you can play in securing its future. Each of you is a cherished part of our congregation, and now we ask you to help us ensure that our shared values and traditions continue to inspire future generations.
Our synagogue is unique among synagogues and holds a different meaning for each of us. To all, however, it is a place of spiritual growth, community support, and learning. These values, which we all hold dear, have been passed down through generations, and we are committed to ensuring they thrive for years to come.
L’Dor Va-Dor, meaning “from generation to generation,” was founded in 1997 by Rabbi Sam Silver. Following his passing, his son, Rabbi Barry Silver, carried on his father’s legacy, serving as a beacon of inspiration. Rabbi Barry coined the name and concept of “Cosmic Judaism”, creating for us a spiritual home where science and the profound beauty of Judaism coexist harmoniously. His ability to find meaning and connection in the universe resonated deeply with all who knew him. Tragically, Rabbi Barry was taken from us only a year ago in March 2024. Just as he was a star here on Earth, his memory continues to shine brightly as a guiding light for our community.
We are a small, yet dedicated, congregation in the Boynton Beach/Delray Beach area, navigating a significant period of transition brought on by the challenges of Covid. Our services were paused, and membership declined sharply. To adapt, we made the difficult decision to forgo maintaining our own sanctuary, eliminating rental expenses and keeping membership dues at a very reasonable level. Thanks to the tireless efforts of eight of our members, we recently achieved a two-thirds reduction in storage costs (our largest non-personnel expense), moving items to a smaller unit, local charities, or proper disposal. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and hope you will join them in supporting our congregation.
While we no longer have a full-time rabbi, Cantor Carol, a strong and compassionate leader, is diligently pursuing her rabbinical training. She continues to lead our services with passion and dedication, ensuring our community remains vibrant.
Like many small congregations, we have faced financial challenges and worked hard to cut expenses to the bone. Despite this, our commitment to Jewish principles remains unwavering. We still maintain weekly in-person Shabbat services, along with regular programs, such as “Touch of Torah” (featuring video recordings of Rabbi Barry teaching Torah), “Touch of Jewish History”, and many others. From special holiday celebrations to unique events, our congregation remains active and engaged.
By leaving a legacy gift to L’Dor Va-Dor, you can help ensure that these cherished values and programs remain a vital part of our community into the future. Your commitment will enable us to continue and expand our programs, social outreach, and community support. In essence, you will be passing on the values instilled in you by your ancestors to future generations.
There are various ways to leave a legacy gift, including:
If you are 70½ or older you know about those mandatory and taxable RMDs from your IRA. Did you know that you can make a tax-free gift of an RMD directly to L’Dor Va-Dor? Yes, no taxes need to be paid for the part donated to a 501c3 organization, such as L’Dor Va-Dor. So we both win! This is known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD. By donating your RMD directly (or part of your RMD) to our Congregation, you can satisfy your RMD requirement without adding to your taxable income.
Recently, two congregants generously supported us through QCD gifts of their RMDs. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and invite you to consider joining them. This tax-neutral method of giving is a powerful way to support our community. We are seeking four congregants to commit to donating just one of their RMDs to L’Dor Va-Dor this year.
Legacy giving and QCDs are deeply personal decisions, and we encourage you to discuss your options with your financial advisor or tax specialist. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Ruth Sabo (President) at 518-229-5258 or Alan Lichtenberg (Board Trustee) at 561-734-4757.
To donate to L’Dor Va-Dor using any major credit card, please CLICK HERE.
Thank you for your continued dedication to L’Dor Va-Dor. Together, we can ensure our shared values and traditions continue to shine brightly for generations to come.
With Shalom,
The Board of Directors of L’Dor Va-Dor
