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Atid Chai

Ensuring a lasting legacy for generations to come

The AHS Community today stands on the shoulders of giants – visionary individuals who, with foresight and generosity, arranged for legacy gifts that continue to shape the educational experiences of Associated students. 

A six-figure legacy gift can be truly transformational, impacting the future of AHS for generations to come. But every planned gift – whether a $1,000 bequest, a $10,000 life insurance policy, or a more substantial commitment – contributes to the strength and sustainability of our school.

Most of the legacy gifts received to date came as a surprise to us, as quiet testaments to the power of Jewish education. While we are profoundly grateful for these unexpected donations, we hope that more community members will consider making arrangements and sharing their plans with us in advance.

 

Atid CHAI is our new legacy giving program designed to recognize and thank our community members during their lifetimes. The name “Atid CHAI” combines two key Hebrew concepts: עתיד means “future;”  ח”י means “life” and is also an acronym for Jewish Education (חינוך יהודי – Chinuch Yehudi).  Therefore, Atid CHAI can be understood as “The Future of Jewish Education” or “A Living Future for Jewish Learning” – emphasizing both continuity and vitality in Jewish education.

You will find that there’s a planned giving vehicle for everyone – small or large donations, from donors young and old.  The options are outlined here, but we encourage you to speak with your financial advisor to determine which works best for you and your situation.

By sharing your intentions with us today, you can inspire others, connect with like-minded supporters, and see the impact of your generosity while strengthening the foundation of our school for generations to come. Your gift is not just an investment in education – it is a powerful statement of faith in our community’s future.

Please contact Jennifer Singer for more information on Atid CHAI: 416-494-7666, ext. 653 or jsinger@ahschools.com.

Testimonials

Building Tomorrow Together: Stories from Atid CHAI members

Elaine & Benny Osher

The Goldberg Family

lan '73 and Heather Ringel

Tanya Werger ‘06

Click on the photo to see the testimonial

Their Generosity Lives On

Nathan O. Hurwich z"l
(1909-2008) Class of 1923

David Pinkus z"l
(1924-2021), Class of 1936

Click on the photo to see the testimonial

Legacy Giving: Myths & Realities

My kids are young and I’m currently paying for tuition/camp/sports; I don’t have a large amount to give now or in the future.

No worries!  We encourage our younger community members to consider life insurance policies. When you take out a new life insurance policy with Associated as the beneficiary, you will get tax receipts for the yearly premiums. As a result, you’ll receive recognition now for your substantial future gift while participating in our annual fundraising campaigns.

I’m in my 40s. I’m too young to talk about planned giving!

A donor of any age can become a legacy donor. A recent study found that people aged 40–54 have more legacy gifts to nonprofit causes, exceeding all other age cohorts.[1]

[1] Source: September 26, 2024 Mersky, Jaffe & Associates Newsletter: Legacy Gifts: Myths and Facts by David A. Mersky

I'm not comfortable giving a large amount. Would anything I leave be helpful?

Absolutely! You can leave any amount, or a percentage of your estate. Your gift is a testament to your values and commitment to Associated, and it adds to the collective impact of others’ generosity.

I don’t have a will!

The good news is that you are in the majority: a 2024 survey by the Logit Group found that only 43% of Canadians have a will.[1]  However, financial and legal experts will advise writing a will when you go through life changes such as: getting married; buying a house; having children or when your financial circumstances change.  If you don’t have a lawyer, there are a few online resources that will help you write a will, starting at $49.[2]

[1] https://logitgroup.com/canadians-last-will-and-testament/

[2] https://inflationcalculator.ca/top-4-online-will-writing-services-in-canada/

I need to take care of my kids and grandkids.

Of course you do; providing for your family is your top priority. One option some people find reassuring is allocating a small percentage of their estate to your favourite organization, like Associated Hebrew Schools. This way, you ensure your family is well cared for while also making a meaningful impact on future generations of AHS students. Even a modest gift can make a significant difference.

Consult your financial advisor for any other questions or guidance. 
For information on Atid CHAI, please contact Jennifer Singer at

416-494-7666, ext. 653 or jsinger@ahschools.com. 

Associated has had a profound impact on our lives. Our three children, Noah, ’06, Jonah, ’07 and Sarah ’12, all benefitted from an incredible education at AHS – in a community of supportive, nurturing and trusting teachers, friends and families. 

As parents of alumni, we are forever grateful to AHS and we honour that by dedicating so much of ourselves to support the mission and vision of the school. We believe that legacy gifts are part of that commitment and our integral to the continuity of Jewish education in Toronto. 

We want to do our part to ensure generations of families can have the same positive experience at AHS, and benefit from the same outstanding education as our own children. Embracing legacy giving was easy for us because we believe that our collective efforts today will have a lasting impact ensuring that AHS, and Jewish education in Toronto, remains available and accessible for generations to come.

Former Board President Shawn Goldberg attended Jewish Day School in Ottawa, a school rich in family legacy — it was his father’s alma mater and was founded by Shawn’s grandparents in 1949. When Shawn and his wife Helene settled in Toronto and began exploring educational options for their own children, they knew they wanted a school that could honour their family’s values while offering a comprehensive education for a new generation. 

After careful consideration, they chose Associated Hebrew Schools. What drew them to Associated was its unique approach: an environment where academic rigour meets Jewish values, and where Chaim ’16 and Aaron ’18 could flourish both intellectually and spiritually. Associated’s well-rounded education, strong focus on Jewish identity, and commitment to character-building ensured that Shawn and Helene’s sons would not only excel academically but also develop a deep connection to their heritage and community.

Just as his grandparents created their own legacy for Jewish education, Shawn and Helene intend to create a 21st century legacy that will instill timeless Jewish values like tzedakah, tikkun olam, and derech eretz while providing an excellent education. The Goldbergs have notified the school of their intentions for a bequest and are pleased to be one of the first members of Atid CHAI — Associated’s new legacy giving society. Shawn and Helene know that their grandparents Eileen and Ben would be so proud of their commitment to AHS.

By making a commitment to leave a legacy gift to Associated, we are helping to ensure that the next generations of Jewish children are prepared to be inspired leaders not only in our local community but also in the world. 

As parents of an Associated graduate, we have been so blessed to watch our son, Jacob ’17, grow Jewishly, intellectually and emotionally. We strongly believe that Atid CHAI can help make certain that Associated has the necessary support to flourish and prepare our children and their children for the future and beyond.

Nat Hurwich was the son of Russian immigrants. He grew up in downtown Toronto and attended Hebrew classes Monday-Thursday after public school and on Sunday at the Talmud Torah (Associated’s predecessor) during WWI.  “It was a long way to Simcoe Street from Markham and Robinson where my parents…had a grocery store, but there wasn’t another community Hebrew School at the time.”

Hurwich was an entrepreneur who eventually founded Mobile Automotive Products, a highly-successful company that he sold in 1969.

His grandfather, a scholar and shochet, ingrained in him a love of Judaism and Israel. “My grandfather taught me…the most important thing is to be a mensch — the most honourable behavior is to set an example for others….”  Hurwich was a leader and philanthropist to many Jewish and Israeli organizations, among them Associated Hebrew Schools. 

Without any children of their own, he and his wife opted to help educate the children of Toronto’s Jewish Community by making arrangements to leave their estate to Associated.  The AHS administration was delighted to name the Finch Avenue building the Nathan O. and Roey Hurwich Education Centre in their honour in 1982. Explaining his involvement with AHS in a 2003 interview, Hurwich said that “without the Jewish schools, we have no future.” 

When he died at age 98 in 2008, Hurwich was Associated’s oldest living alumnus.  AHS is grateful to have been the recipient of Mr. Hurwich’s incredible bequest.  Our community is so fortunate to stand on the shoulders of giants like Nat and other donors who made arrangements to leave their legacies to Associated.

*Information taken from a 1988 article in the CJN, as well as his obituary and CJN story from 2008.

David Pinkus attended the Talmud Torah on Brunswick on Brunswick Avenue (precursor to Associated Hebrew Schools) daily. His education must have made a tremendous impact on him, as he left a portion of his estate to Associated after he passed away.

Mr. Pinkus was instrumental in preserving downtown Toronto’s Kensington Market, and spearheading the renovation of the Kiever Shul.  He passionately protected the Market from destruction when the City of Toronto wanted to bulldoze and redevelop the area, and he helped successfully fight the Spadina Expressway.

I attended Associated starting in Grade 1 at the Posluns campus and completed my AHS education in Grade 8 at Hurwich.  I had a wonderful experience with many fond memories, and it was critical to providing me the Jewish education, core values, love of Israel, and connection to my heritage that I still feel today. If it wasn’t for the financial assistance my parents received, I wouldn’t have been able to attend Associated for 8 wonderful years. Because of all that AHS has given to me and my family, it is important for me to give back to the school every year through charitable giving.

A few years ago, I was exposed to legacy giving and learned that it was an easy way for me to give back to AHS despite not having huge amounts of disposable income currently.  I’m sure most people think that writing a will is a daunting task with red tape and lawyers, but I created my will easily online through Willful Canada. Adding Associated as a beneficiary was as easy as typing in the (proper) name — Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto. With legacy giving, the lift isn’t heavy now, and I know that when the time comes, my donations to the school do not have to stop, and I can leave a more meaningful gift. And if I win the lottery and am able to give the school millions, I can easily change the percentage of my estate that will go to AHS.

Upon recently realizing that Associated was founded back in 1907 — over 118 years ago! — it is my privilege to do my (small) part in ensuring it is around for at least another 118 years to educate Jewish children in the GTA.