The Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven created the Book of Life to honor your planned gift commitment to your favorite Jewish community organizations. The Book of Life is an online collection of photos and meaningful reflections that celebrate your philanthropic vision and investment in a joyous Jewish future, and will live on our website as an inspiration to all!

It’s easy to join the Book of Life! Here’s what we need from you:

• A photo of you and/or your family
• A short description (around 500 words) or a short video about you and why you’ve chosen to make a Legacy gift to your favorite organizations through the Jewish Foundation

Below is an example Book of Life submission and sample questions. For more information, please email Sarah Domena, [email protected]

Thank you for your support!

To spark your creativity, here are a few sample questions:

• Why is the Jewish community of Greater New Haven so special to you?
• What are your fondest memories growing up in a Jewish community?
• What values do you want to pass on to your children?
• What inspired you to make a Legacy commitment to ensure the future of our community?

Born in Vienna, Jacqueline Koral’s mother-in-law, Regina Koral, lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, hidden in Belgium. She and her husband came to the United States in 1949.

At the age of 95, Jackie and her husband brought her mother-in-law from Manhattan to the Towers at Tower Lane in downtown New Haven. Regina was terrified. “I don’t know anybody there,” she said, “and I speak with a funny accent.” But her fears were soon overcome as she was embraced by the residents and staff of the Towers.

Gina, as she was known at the Towers, insisted that Jackie become involved with the Towers because Gina loved her life there so much, and so Jackie did. Jackie joined the Tower Board, became a Board Chair, and eventually established an endowment for the Towers.

 The Towers at Tower Lane stands at the forefront of Active Aging. Balancing Jewish values, they are a ‘center of excellence,’ fostering respect, competence, compassion, and commitment to innovation and tradition. Their mission promotes personal growth and wellness and truly supports their vision of ‘Aging in Community’. 

Create a Jewish Legacy, a collaborative endowment program funded by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Western Massachusetts, assists our local agencies and synagogues to secure their future by providing resources and support so that they can grow their endowment and legacy programs.

 Gina never expected that the last five years of her life would be so fulfilling and meaningful to her. Jackie said, “My mother-in-law became the inspiration. I created this endowed fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven to ensure a living legacy for my family and also provide support for the Towers. Gina made it all happen.”