What first inspired you to open your DAF?

Rob – Hillary and I have benefited from so many groups, camps, classes, programs, and nonprofit leadership experiences in our life. We want to make sure these same experiences continue to be available to the coming generations.

Hillary – Our first act as a married (or soon-to-be married couple) was to open the DAF. It was important to start our marriage with philanthropy as a lifelong practice we could develop and build upon over time.

I understand that you asked your wedding guests to contribute to your DAF as a gift. Why was this important to you?

Rob and Hillary – When we started building a wedding registry, we were already living together in a 600 square-foot condo. We realized we had most of the everyday items we needed and not much space for anything else! We felt like a contribution to the DAF would celebrate our love and commitment to each other and our whole community.

What does it mean for you to give Jewishly?

Rob – As Jews, we have a history of aid societies that collected small weekly dues from members to help new immigrants and people experiencing poverty. When my grandfather was orphaned at a young age, his older sisters held fundraisers to pay for his passage from Poland to the United States. My grandfather was my childhood hero. He was active in his temple, donating to Jewish causes, helping our family in Israel, and encouraging our family to participate in Jewish activities. To me, giving Jewishly means continuing this tradition and supporting Jewish communal life.

How do you hope to impact the organizations and the communities you and your family care about over time through recommendations made via this DAF?

Hillary and Rob – We believe charitable giving should be sustainable to be effective in the long-term. By giving regularly, we can help to build the strong foundation necessary for the organizations we care about to realize their positive missions and vision for the world.  The DAF makes certain that we will always be able to give regularly, even in years when we might have unexpected expenses or emergencies or career changes.

What did you learn about charitable giving from your parents? How and/or what do you want to teach your children about tzedakah (giving justly) and tikkun olam (repairing the world)?

Rob – Growing up, my parents were active in synagogue life. My mom volunteered to visit with people who were sick or elderly. My dad was active in the synagogue brotherhood. They met most of their closest friends through Jewish youth group and fraternity activities. My parents volunteered and fundraised for Jewish causes. We want our children to feel a sense of belonging and responsibility.

Hillary – My parents – just like Rob’s parents – were serious about community service and we want to be the same way with our children. Most folks are familiar with the statement that “It is not up to you to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either” (Pirkei Avot 2:21). Struggle can sometimes be seen as unpleasant, uncomfortable, or negative. But struggle can be beautiful, too. Struggle helps each of us to learn and grow. Rob and I want to encourage our children to question, reflect and work on the complex problems of our world. We want them to understand they are each called to try, not necessarily to succeed. 

What is the Jewish legacy you want to leave for your children?

Rob – Social justice is the core tenant of my Jewish practice. My children, and everyone, deserves to live in a society that recognizes our basic human rights to food, healthcare, housing, work, education, and the inherent dignity of all people. I want to pass these values on to my children. A few years ago, we went on a family hike, and every time we passed another family or couple, my daughter Clare would stop to introduce herself. Hillary suggested to Clare that she might not need to give strangers every detail about her life, but Clare just shrugged and said, “I am Jewish, and Jewish people love everyone.” Teaching our children that our values and Jewish identity are intertwined is important to me.

Hillary – I agree with Rob. When our own lives are over, how will others say we lived? We want our children to carry on a tradition of caring deeply about the challenges facing our world and taking responsibility for building a better shared future for Jewish people.

What, if anything, would you wish others to know regarding the options and pathways they have to inspire generations of giving within their own families?

Rob – One of the benefits of having a DAF is the ability to donate appreciated stock without paying capital gains or other taxes, which maximizes the total gift. 

Hillary – Let your children watch you volunteer and plan for charitable giving. Explain why. Creating a DAF allows you to save and grow your charitable giving over time at a pace that works for you, like a savings account, there are really no downsides!