Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program

Make It Your Own...Make a Difference! - Video

"As my fathers planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me." - Talmud

The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba is premised on the theme of building for the future. Recognizing that the next generation IS the future, the Foundation has introduced Bar/Bat Mitzvah Funds - an opportunity for young people to gain experience with endowment funding, and to begin to "plant for the future."

Bar and Bat Mitzvah funds teach children about the importance of giving Tzedakah and provides them with the opportunity to affect positive change in their community.

The young person has the opportunity to gain understanding of the needs in his/her community, the satisfaction of building for the future and setting children on the path of life-long giving.

Establishing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah fund provides young people with the opportunity to affect positive change in their community. Having a fund teaches them about the importance of giving and the value of Tzedakah, and sets them on the path of life-long giving!

$100

Who can open a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Fund?

A fund can be opened by a Bar or Bat Mitzvah child or by anyone who wishes to honour a child before or at the time of his or her becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Funds have been established by children, their parents, grandparents and family friends.

Anyone can make a contribution to the fund, either at the time of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah or at any other time for any occassion.

The money is invested and each year the income from the investment is distributed for charitable purposes.

When the fund reaches $750 within two years of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, program benefactors Nora and David Kaufman will contribute $250. This brings the fund to the $1,000 level, at which point it becomes donor-advised.

Yes. Once the fund reaches $1,000 it becomes donor-advised and the fund-holder is invited to direct the income from the fund on an annual basis to any registered charity in Canada.

What if a Bar/Bat Mitzvah fund-holder wants to have a regular fund at the Foundation once he/she is an adult?

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Funds will be transferred into regular funds at the time the child turns 25. Prior to turning 25, the fund-holder will be advised that the time is approaching when their fund will be treated on a consistent basis with other Foundation funds.

No. These funds can be established in the child's honour at any time. Several Bar and Bat Mitzvah Funds have been established in the names of newborn babies.

Anyone who is interested in establishing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Fund is encouraged to contact the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba at (204) 477-7520 and speak with Marsha Cowan, Chief Executive Officer or Brenda Gurvey, Director of Donor Relations.

TO READ THE 2009 BAR & BAT MITZVAH NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE