A Promise to the Future: Why I Do What I Do

People often ask me why I do this work. What’s the magic behind the Jewish Future Promise? What makes it different?

The answer is simple but powerful. The Jewish Future Promise is about securing the future of the Jewish people, not just for today but for generations to come.

We are currently experiencing the most significant transfer of wealth in human history. In the United States alone, over $68 trillion will pass from one generation to the next in the coming decades. While Jews make up only 2% of the US population, estimates suggest that as much as 18-20% of that transfer could come from Jewish families, representing not just financial capital but also cultural and philanthropic capital.

This is not just about dollars; it is about destiny. It’s about ensuring that our values, heritage, and story continue. We’ve seen a surge in giving, extraordinary generosity in response to crises and urgency. However, sustainability is crucial. We must turn urgency into sustainability.

Real impact isn’t just about reacting; it’s about building. It’s about ensuring that Jewish life, education, and identity are nurtured intentionally for generations to come. That’s why the Jewish Future Promise exists.

We ask individuals and families to publicly or privately commit that 50% or more of their charitable giving, both now and in their estate plans, will support Jewish causes or the State of Israel. This isn’t just about a pledge; it’s about sparking conversation. It’s about sitting with children, grandchildren, and future generations and saying: “This is who we are. This is what matters to us. This is our story to carry forward.”

We believe in giving to others and making the world better, but we also deeply believe in taking care of ourselves. Because if we don’t, who will?

I feel incredibly honored and grateful to have been entrusted by Mike Leven, a remarkable businessperson, philanthropist, and visionary, to lead this initiative. Mike understood from the beginning the power of a simple idea when it’s rooted in values and driven by community.

None of this work happens alone. I am privileged to work alongside a dedicated and passionate team that shares my belief that while the Jewish Future Promise may seem simple, it holds enormous power. It takes a village, a community that believes in the beauty of simplicity and the extraordinary impact it can create when we act with purpose.

As we witnessed the success and momentum of the Jewish Future Promise grow, we recognized the need to capture another critical moment even earlier in life. That’s how the Jewish Youth Promise was born.

The Jewish Youth Promise is about capturing a moment in time, almost like holding a memory in a bottle. It encourages young people to make a personal promise to stay connected to their Jewish identity, community, and traditions throughout their lives.

But it doesn’t stop there. As part of the Youth Promise experience, each young person writes a letter to their future self, a personal reflection of who they are at that moment, what being Jewish means to them, and how they hope to stay connected as they grow older. That letter is stored in a digital time capsule, and every two years, they receive a reminder of their immersive experience with the Jewish organization they were part of, a powerful personal touchpoint that reconnects them not just to the memory of their experience but also to the community that helped shape them.

We know this is needed now more than ever. Many Jewish organizations create transformative experiences for young people, but too often, the connection fades over time. The bond weakens. The relationship drifts. The Jewish Youth Promise was created to strengthen that connection, giving organizations a meaningful way to stay in touch with their alumni and reminding them of their story, their roots, and their responsibility to carry it forward.

Jewish continuity doesn’t happen by accident; it happens when we plant seeds early and nurture them with care.

What I love most about the Jewish Future Promise is its simplicity. We are not a fundraising organization. We’re not asking for your dollars; we’re asking for your direction. We exist to create a movement; a cultural shift that ensures Jewish giving remains strong for generations to come.

You don’t need to be wealthy, famous, or powerful to make an impact. You just need two minutes. Two minutes and the willingness to stand up for what matters. To say: “This is what I believe in. This is what I care about. This is the future I want to help build.”

This is how we build a future, not just through dollars but through relationships, not just through generosity but through belonging. This is our moment, not just to give but to lead, not just to react but to build, not just to hope but to secure the future of the Jewish people.

That’s why I do what I do. That’s the magic of the Jewish Future Promise and the Jewish Youth Promise. I am deeply grateful to lead, serve, and build something that will matter for generations to come.