My legacy gift is a recognition of the opportunities offered by NIF to reconcile devotion to the State of Israel with the Jewish values of justice, peace and equity. It is an expression of my solidarity with the people of Israel—all of them, whatever their gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or political views.

I grew up in a family that was not very observant but very strong in its identification with the Jewish people and Israel. We traveled to Israel together shortly after the Six-Day War. I did believe the war to be one of self-defense. At the same time, I recognized that Israel was at a crossroads. At the time, Jews were regular shoppers welcomed in the markets of the Old City and even Gaza. The goodwill could be channeled, I thought, into permanent reconciliation or perpetual conflict. The outcome has not been what I hoped for.

At this point, I admit to being less than optimistic about seeing a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during my lifetime. I am not ready to give up, however, my identification with Israel. My donation is a way of helping those sectors of Israeli society that will work for reconciliation and peace. During the lifetimes of the youngest beneficiaries, maybe a lasting peace will find its way to the surface.

Disclaimer: New Israel Fund is not engaged in legal or tax advisory services. Please consult with your professional advisor as to which giving vehicle is right for you, and when creating bequests, seek drafting and counsel from an attorney.