Life & Legacy - Congregation Gates of Heaven

LIFE & LEGACY® is a partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) that assists communities across North America, through partnership with Jewish Federations and Foundations, to promote after-lifetime giving to benefit local Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service organizations, and other Jewish entities.

Through training, support, and monetary incentives, LIFE & LEGACY® motivates Jewish organizations to secure legacy gifts, steward donors, and integrate legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Jewish community in order to ensure vibrant Jewish life for future generations. Congregation Gates of Heaven is one of eleven Jewish organizations in New York’s Capital District to be participating in this program.

Since March of 2018, Gates of Heaven has asked its stakeholders to leave a life and legacy gift to our congregation.

Life & Legacy Commitment Forms

2026 Life & Legacy Letter of Intent

Complete this form when you are ready to let us know you intend to make a commitment in the future, with an approximate value of your promised gift.

2026 Life & Legacy Confirmation Page

Complete this form after you have made arrangements for your legacy gift, confirming the process is complete for your bequest, IRA, life insurance policy, or other form of giving.

Members of the CGOH Life & Legacy Society

Video Testimonials from CGOH's Life & Legacy Society Members

Life & Legacy Commitment Forms

2026 Life & Legacy Letter of Intent

Complete this form when you are ready to let us know you intend to make a commitment in the future, with an approximate value of your promised gift.

2026 Life & Legacy Confirmation Page

Complete this form after you have made arrangements for your legacy gift, confirming the process is complete for your bequest, IRA, life insurance policy, or other form of giving.

WHY LIFE & LEGACY?

To cultivate a culture of legacy giving that fosters camaraderie among Jewish organizations while providing generous, forward-thinking community members an opportunity to express their passion and commitment to the future of Congregation Gates of Heaven and the community's most valued Jewish institutions.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Your life is rooted in Jewish experiences that connect you to the community, and while you may already support Jewish charitable organizations, including them in your estate plan ensures the traditions and institutions you cherish will endure for future generations. A legacy commitment conveys your Jewish values, honors the principles instilled by your parents and grandparents, perpetuates cherished traditions, and preserves vital programs at Congregation Gates of Heaven and other organizations—plus, by making or sharing your commitment now, these organizations can secure incentive grants from the Grinspoon Foundation.

Our legacy donors are committed individuals who honor the generations before them by ensuring Congregation Gates of Heaven remains a warm, welcoming place that empowers Jewish families and enriches every soul who enters for generations to come.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

Everyone, regardless of age, wealth, or affiliation, can leave a meaningful legacy gift customized to fit your dreams, lifestyle, and financial needs—whether through a bequest, life insurance, IRA or pension funds, cash, assets, charitable gift annuities, or remainder trusts.

For details on making a gift to support your area of interest, contact CGOH Life & Legacy Committee Chair Mindy Holland at mindyminerholland@gmail.com or synagogue president Elizabeth Desbiens at edesbiens@cgoh.org.

Todah Rabah!
We thank our LIFE & LEGACY Society members for helping to secure our future.

Those who sign a letter of intent to leave a LIFE & LEGACY gift to Congregation Gates of Heaven are added to our LIFE & LEGACY SOCIETY. Those who do not wish to remain anonymous will have their name printed on the LIFE & LEGACY sign in our lobby and will be honored each year at our Donor Appreciation Shabbat.