Ensuring Our Future Temple Solel Endowment Foundation

In my over 20 years as a member of Temple Solel, I have served in various positions trying to give back to a community that has always meant a lot to my family. I was honored to serve as Vice President of Education on the Temple Solel Board of Trustees and found great satisfaction and fulfillment organizing Mitzvah Day for the Raker Religious School for many years. My Sunday mornings volunteering at the Boker Tov Bistro proved to be a delightful way of “serving” the temple community while making new friends and learning some coffee making skills. More recently, I found my place on the Temple Solel Endowment Foundation Board where I have served as Secretary and Vice President. And it is now my honor to serve as the foundation’s president.

The Temple Solel Endowment Foundation held its annual meeting and elected its officers in early December. I would like to offer congratulations and gratitude to the new executive board members: Scott Cohen as Vice President, Jim Moss returning as Treasurer and Gail Zucker as secretary. Your time and devotion to the foundation and Temple Solel is invaluable. I would also like to express unending appreciation to outgoing President Nelson Lerner and board member Dick Lamden for their initiative, guidance and perseverance that helped develop the foundation into what it is today. Finally, I would like to thank the entire board for your commitment to the foundation. This certainly is not an easy task but I appreciate all the talent you bring to the team.

The Temple Solel Endowment Foundation only exists due to the generosity of our donors. Through donations big and small, you have greatly impacted the future of our beloved temple. On behalf of the Endowment Foundation Board, Temple Solel community and future congregants, I extend a heart-felt thank you for your gift.
Temple Solel is a home, which fulfills many needs including religious, educational, emotional, therapeutic and social. Pick your own or add to the list, there is no right or wrong reason to belong to such a strong vibrant community. And as members of this community, we all have a responsibility to ensure it stays strong for our children and our children’s children (L’dor va’dor).

As of December 31, 2020, our managed portfolio value has exceeded $1.5M. This impressive number is a good start, but we have a long way to go to create a foundation which can sustain Temple Solel. After extensive research and calculations, the endowment foundation board has determined that a portfolio of $10M would sustain Temple Solel for the future. But, baby steps…, so the foundation is asking for your help in doubling our current portfolio value over the next 12 months.
Starting this year, I would like to create initiatives which increase the value of our legacy gift portfolio. A legacy gift is a gift left to the Temple Solel Endowment Foundation as an addendum to your will or an insurance policy. There are many ways this can be done. The benefit of a legacy gift is that there is no immediate cash transfer so your current estate value remains intact. A legacy gift is testamentary in nature. With legacy gifts, we can shore up Temple Solel against any future economic downturn. May I suggest you discuss such a gift with your financial advisor?

I am looking forward to serving as your foundation president. Together we can bolster our temple’s financial future.
“As a torch is not diminished though it kindles a million candles, so will he not lose who gives to a good cause”- Midrash.

Robert Siamon
Temple Solel Endowment Foundation Board President