In this year of turmoil following the tragedies of 09/11/01, nothing could have been more humbling to me than to learn that I was the 18th Lion of Judah to embrace tzedakah with my commitment to endow my annual contribution.

Just as the numeral 18 translates in the language of our ancestors to chai, meaning life, the mission of a Lion of Judah Endowment translates to life.  Perpetual, nurturing, and clear in the footsteps of our mothers and sisters who came before, this path we lay by our daily actions will sustain, teach, and lead future generations to cherish family and tradition, to volunteer to help others in our own community and abroad, and to joyfully celebrate the precious gift of life.

Blessed by being raised in a warm and loving Jewish home, in strong fellowship with our community and the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, I am honored, indeed, to leave this legacy to my own children and grandchildren and to be inscribed in the Endowment Book of Life.