You start your fund by making a deposit at the Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul with a minimum of $360. Every year you choose which charity you would like to donate to from your fund. Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah is the perfect time to get started.
Because the Fund is invested for you, it will continue to grow. You can add to it anytime you like. When you’re ready for college, you can give any money that’s left to charity, or let your fund grow so you can continue to donate gifts.
You can ask your guests to make a donation directly to your Fund by enclosing a note in your invitation. Feel free to write something personal about yourself, your Parashah, or what your Jewish education has meant to you. The following is a sample:
In honor of my Bar/Bat Mitzvah, I have established a philanthropic fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul. Each year I will make a request to the Federation to donate the income from the fund to a charity of my choice.
If you would like to make a donation to my fund in honor of my becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah, please send a check to the Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul, 790 S. Cleveland Ave, Suite 227, St. Paul, MN 55116.
Please note that this is a donation to my Gesher l’Kesher Fund in the memo portion of your check.
Thank you for being a part of this special celebration.