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The Newsletter for Chai Care, a program of the Jewish Community Foundation of Broward County MAR/APR 2020 | ADAR/NISSAN/IYAR 5780
T H E
CONTENTS FROM THE DESK OF STACEY RUBENFELD........................ Page 2 MONEY MINDED
Long-Term Care Stretch IRA........................................... Page 3 PROTECTING YOUR LOVED ONES FROM ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE
Bienenfeld, Lasek & Starr, LLC......... Page 4 MATZO LATKES RECIPE .................. Page 5 MEDICAL MOMENT
What to Know About Colorectal Cancer................................. Page 6 LIFE & LEGACY™............................... Page 7 OUR MISSION STATEMENT
.............................................................. Page 8
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
CHAIR’S position
VOL. 3, ISSUE 5
Chai Care Chair: Carol Lasek
Why We Yearn to Learn
After seeing the movie, “The Battle of Midway,” I found myself on a quest to find out everything there was to know about this pivotal naval attack in World War II. I not only googled but took out books from the library while experiencing this overwhelming urge to learn more. I wasn’t always this way. But I find my yearn to learn seems to be on steroids these days. I crave all kinds of information. I read random pamphlets, pour over daily newspapers and search for interesting classes on topics ranging from space to cooking. I read the books my grandchildren are assigned for school and offer to help them with their book reports. My kids are shocked. I wasn’t always this way. It seems I am not alone. This thirst for knowledge is pervasive in my generation and a topic of conversation at social gatherings. Is it because we are realizing our mortality? Have more time on our hands? Worried about how we will fill our days as we contemplate passing the baton of our careers to the next generation? Or is it part of the aging process, a way of coping with our fear of memory loss? I needed to know. So, I googled, picked up pamphlets and read the research and was pleasantly surprised to learn our brain treats hunger for knowledge like hunger for food. We are basically hard wired to gain knowledge in much the same way we want to eat to stay alive. As we get older, our brains change but do not stop. Our brains are still working. It may take us longer to learn new information. Our reaction time may be slower and multi-tasking may be more challenging. But this addiction for knowledge is evolutionary in nature, a way for us to innovate, create and contribute in extraordinary but different ways. Here is my takeaway message: Nudge your neurons. Stay physically active. And reach out to organizations like Chai Care when you need help and save your mental and physical energy for those ‘battles’ which you enjoy fighting on your own.
Wishing all a Happy Passover
FROM THE DESK OF STACEY RUBENFELD As a team of annual campaign fundraisers, we are often asked by prospects and donors, “What is the Annual Campaign and where do the raised funds go?” I wanted to take this opportunity to answer these questions by sharing what our Annual Campaign accomplishes here in Broward and around the world. This year, thanks to your generous support of the annual campaign and other philanthropic initiatives, we were able to award over $13.5M to programs that: • Helped feed the hungry, comfort the sick, aid the elderly, shelter the homeless and support those in need or with disabilities.
programming for all ages that celebrate Jewish values and traditions. • Developed the next generation of leaders through mentoring, teaching and hands-on experiences. Our annual campaign is more than just the dollars we raise. It is an affirmation that Jewish Broward is one community, united to achieve the goals of changing and improving lives in Broward, Israel and around the world. Similarly, our donor count is more than just a number – it’s a depiction of our community’s strength and demonstrates that when we work together, we achieve greatness. If you have not made a contribution yet, please As of today, we are 28% away from meeting our do not delay. Help us meet our goal!
• Advocated for the vulnerable and continued campaign goal. We are tremendously grateful to our generous community – to donors like to fight for social justice. • Continued to invest in preventing, preparing you – who have made a contribution to the for and responding to potential security threats Annual Campaign. With a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, you can be confident in our community. that your gift goes directly to helping Jewish • Continued to ensure the long-term health organizations in Broward County and around and vibrancy of our diverse community the world. In fact, our Federation only spends by funding a wide range of educational seven cents to raise every dollar.
If you want to discuss your donation options, please contact me. To mail your contribution, send it to 5890 South Pine Island Road, Davie, Fl 33328
Sincerely, Stacey Rubenfeld VP, Annual Giving
WE HELP BENEFICIARIES, get the most out of their POOLED TRUST. TYPES OF POOLED TRUSTS WE ADMINISTER AND MANAGE: Special Needs Trust Minors Trust Preservation Trust Support Trust Speak with Denise Lettau today!
(267) 327-4087
Or learn more at SecuredFutures.org
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MONEY MINDED
LONG-TERM CARE
At least 70 percent of people over age 65 will need long-term care services at some point. Neither health insurance nor Medicare offers solutions when it comes to paying for LTC. The high cost is more likely to fall upon the individual, meaning they may have to tap into their savings, access benefits of an LTC insurance policy or both.
Although there’s no “one size fits all” solution, there’s an array of options to choose from, including traditional LTC policies, hybrid/linked-benefit LTC policies and LTC and chronic illness riders. Traditional life insurance policies allow you to customize LTC coverage to fit your needs. They’re designed to cover the risk of LTC whether the need arises or not. “Hybrid” life insurance policies combine the benefits of a life insurance policy with those of a traditional LTC policy. A life insurance policy with an LTC or chronic illness rider may be more appropriate where LTC coverage is a secondary need to death benefit protection but is still a concern. Understanding the full scope of options will help you better meet your unique needs.
STRETCH IRA The stretch IRA preserves the tax-deferred status of an inherited IRA for most non-spouse beneficiaries. Under its terms, the beneficiary could stretch out the annual required minimum distributions they would owe over their own lifetime rather than the lifetime of the original account owner.
Unfortunately, the stretch IRA is no longer available in wake of the SECURE Act, which was signed into law in December of 2019. The loss of the stretch IRA will affect millions of households with excess retirement funds that they wish to pass along, but there are options available to replicate the wealth transfer benefits of the stretch IRA.
One such alternative is the charitable remainder trust. The asset owner creates and funds the trust with IRA assets at death, and beneficiaries get a regular income stream from the trust - the assets are only taxed when they leave the trust. The deduction is claimed by the estate of the original IRA owner at the time the trust is created. The longer the period of payments, the less the tax deduction. When the beneficiary dies, or the trust expires, the trust’s remaining assets go to a charity tax-free. Many folks couple the tax deduction and the income stream to buy life insurance in an irrevocable trust. The face amount of the coverage can replace the original amount of the IRA, and even better it’s totally income tax and estate tax free! This is a win/win/win. The charity wins and the holder of the IRA wins with income and tax deduction and using that to replace the original amount of the IRA with a tax free life insurance policy. Provided by Alan Meltzer, CEO & Founder, NFP The Meltzer Group
CHAI TIMES 3
Protecting Your Loved Ones from Elder Financial Abuse by: Alethea O’Donnell - Bienenfeld, Lasek & Starr, LLC
Could someone you love be a victim of elder financial abuse? Each year, seniors lose $37 billion to elder financial abuse and more than a third of seniors are affected by financial abuse in any five year period, according to one study¹. This total includes criminal fraud, caregiver abuse, and financial exploitation, where seniors are subjected to high-pressure sales tactics and misleading marketing. Lawmakers are paying attention. Federal and state governments have begun to pass laws to protect seniors from financial abuse. This is good news. However, these laws often protect a senior only after someone realizes that an elderly person is being exploited. An elderly person can lose a significant amount of their savings before someone close to the senior realizes what has happened. Red Flags In order to stop elder financial abuse, it is critical that those closest to seniors be on the lookout for possible red flags. As a family member or close friend of an elderly person, you may be in the best position to detect early signs of elder financial abuse.
Would you know the signs of elder financial abuse and exploitation? Here are some: The elderly person becomes dazed, nervous or fearful when discussing financial matters. He or she does not remember having requested certain transactions. The elderly person provides contradictory or questionable explanations for financial transactions. You observe a significant change in the senior’s financial habits, such as more frequent or larger withdrawals. There is the appearance of a new “friend” who is insistently requesting information about the elderly person’s accounts, or who tries to make changes without the senior’s permission. This new “friend” could be an acquaintance, a family member, a health care provider, or even someone the elderly person met online. The new “friend” or family member refuses to let you speak to the elderly person, or insists on being present when you talk with the elderly individual. Continue on pg. 5
Bridging the gap to the next generation At Bienenfeld, Lasek & Starr, LLC, every client, whether you are generation X, a baby boomer or a millennial, deserves great service and support. Our personable approach to comprehensive financial planning begins with our investment in you and then bridging the gap with your loved ones, your business, and your future. This is our mission and the reason why we are committed to helping you get the most out of your financial life now and generations yet to come. It's also the reason we are proud to support the Jewish Federation of Broward County. We are honored to be involved with an organization with a strong dedication to its community and a solid commitment to supporting Jewish Life all over the world.
Bienenfeld, Lasek & Starr, LLC 1000 Corporate Drive • Suite 600 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334 (954) 689-9484 • Fax (954) 491-1268 www.blsfinancial.com
Financial Planning • Life Insurance • Disability Income Insurance • Long Term Care Insurance • Annuities • Investments • Wealth Management
Securities, investment advisory and financial planning services offered through registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC Member SIPC. 1000 Corporate Drive Suite 700, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334. 954-689-9484. Bienenfeld, Lasek & Starr, LLC. and BLS Wealth Management, LLC are not subsidiaries or affiliates of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliated companies. CRN202106-249317 SOC7461 619
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You may see questionable signatures on documents, or it may appear that numbers on financial documents have been forged or changed. You may learn of sudden or unexplained changes in beneficiaries on life insurance policies, or see that there have been unexplained changes of address on an elderly person’s financial statements. What To Do? If you see any of these signs, it is critical to act quickly. There are a number of steps that you can take: Contact the bank or financial professional who manages the elderly person’s accounts. The bank or financial professional can freeze accounts or take other action. Contact the Adult Protective Services agency in your state. Similar to Child Protective Services agencies which focus on protecting children, Adult Protective Services agencies are created to protect elderly and vulnerable adults. Contact your local police department if you believe that the elderly person has been a victim of fraud. Finally, if the elderly person has another trusted contact such as an attorney or accountant, he or she may be able to help. Of the $37 billion seniors lose through elder financial abuse, $13 billion was in criminal fraud, $7 billion in caregiver abuse, and $17 billion in other general financial exploitation¹. Keeping an eye out for red flags of elder abuse can help protect the ones you love. ¹The True Link Report on Elder Financial Abuse 2015 Provided by Mitch Starr, a financial representative with Bienenfeld, Lasek & Starr, LLC, courtesy of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) © 2016 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA 01111-0001 This article was originally published in February, 2016. It has been updated. FY1093 CRN202111-239889
Matzo Latkes
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Canola oil, for frying
•
2 tablespoons snipped chives, plus more for garnish
•
6 ounces egg matzo
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4 slices smoked salmon (about 1/4 pound), for garnish
• • •
1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 cup cottage cheese, preferably 4 percent 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• •
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper Horseradish Cream for Matzo latkes
Step 1
Step 3
medium-high heat. Add onions, and saute until
Evenly divide chilled mixture into quarters, and using your
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet set over
translucent; set aside. Place matzo in a food processor, and process until coarsely ground; you should have
1 1/2 cups crumbs, or meal. Set aside. Place cottage cheese in the clean bowl of the food processor, and blend until smooth. Step 2
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup matzo crumbs,
cottage cheese, sautéed onions, egg, and 2 tablespoons snipped chives; season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Place remaining 1 cup ground matzo in a shallow dish. hands, flatten each part into a 4-inch round. Dredge in ground matzo, and set aside on a plate. Step 4
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium nonstick saute pan over
medium-high heat. Cook latkes, turning once, until browned on both sides. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Roll salmon slices into rosettes. Serve latkes with a dollop of
horseradish cream and a salmon rosette; garnish with chives. Source: marthastewart.com CHAI TIMES 5
MEDICAL MOMENT
What to Know About Colorectal Cancer The American Cancer Society estimates that 100,000
cases of colon cancer and 45,000 cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed yearly in the United States. Colon cancer, which occurs higher in the colon, and rectal cancer, which develops at the end of the large intestine, or rectum, represent the third leading cancer among men and women. Symptoms of This ‘Silent Killer’
Because colorectal cancer often has few symptoms until it advances, it’s called a “silent killer.” Miami Cancer Institute medical oncologist Antonio Ucar, M.D., says people should report the following symptoms to their doctor: • Abdominal pain. • Constipation. • Dark or bloody stools. • Diarrhea. • Iron-deficiency anemia. • Rectal bleeding.
Risks for Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Ucar points to several factors that increase the risk for colorectal cancer. These include:
• Age –– 90 percent of colorectal cancers develop after the age of 50. • African-American or Jewish, especially Ashkenazi, descent. • Diet high in red meat, saturated fat, processed and cured meats, refined sugars and flour. • Diabetes. • Family history. • Obesity. • Sedentary lifestyle.
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Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Ucar suggests that anyone with these risk factors should consider following the American Cancer Society’s guidelines for colorectal cancer screening and get screened first at age 45 instead of 50, which is the United States Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) recommendation. However, people with a parent or sibling who had colorectal cancer should be screened 10 years prior to the age at which that relative was diagnosed. Miami Cancer Institute surgical oncologist Eduardo Krajewski, M.D., who diagnoses colon cancer with colonoscopies, says that while other screening methods for colorectal cancer exist, colonoscopy remains the gold standard in colorectal cancer detection. Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
When colon cancer or rectal cancer is found in its early stages, Dr. Krajewski says surgery to remove the cancer offers 80 to 90 percent curability.
Advances in colorectal surgery, such as laparoscopic or robot-assisted approaches, and pre- and post-operative care, have minimized complications and reduced hospital stays from five days to two or three days, allowing other treatments to start sooner. Radiation Therapy and Proton Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Michael Chuong, M.D., a radiation oncologist who specializes in treating cancer with radiation, says that Proton Therapy, only available in South Florida at Miami Cancer Institute, can be especially effective in treating colorectal cancer, where tissues may have been compromised by prior cancer treatment. Dr. Chuong says that radiosurgery, using CyberKnife or radioembolization to kill tumor cells, also treats colorectal cancer. While effective treatments for colorectal cancer exist in multiple forms, early detection through recommended screenings offers the best chance of curability.
LIFE & LEGACY®
Last year, the Jewish Federation of Broward County launched the LIFE & LEGACY™ program to provide for the vibrant future of the local Jewish organizations that enhance our lives today. The capacity building partnership program offered by the Jewish Community Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation assists organizations in securing meaningful after-lifetime legacy gifts. Together, we work to coordinate this initiative with Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service organizations and other Jewish entities to build a sustainable Broward Jewish community. LIFE & LEGACY’s four main goals are to:
1. Impact Jewish communal philanthropic culture to make legacy giving the norm 2. Encourage strong stewardship practices in our organizations and communities
3. Develop camaraderie and respect among organizations while sharing the goal of legacy building 4. Enable all donors to be philanthropists In Broward County we have 13 partner organizations involved in our LIFE & LEGACY program working together to secure our Jewish future. To date over $11 million has been promised from 184 donors from our partners: 1. Brauser Maimonides Academy
8. Temple Bat Yam
3. David Posnack Jewish Community Center
10. Temple Beth Torah Sha’arey Tzedek
2. Congregation B’nai Aviv 4. David Posnack Jewish Day School 5. Hebrew Academy Community School
6. Holocaust Documentation and Education Center 7. Jewish Federation of Broward County
9. Temple Beth Emet
11. Temple Dor Dorim
12. Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El 13. Young Israel of Hollywood
Nationally there are 63 participating communities with 630 partnering organizations representing close to 26,000 Legacy commitments. To date $100 million has been raised with an estimated $961 million when gifts are formalized. Whatever you cherish most about Jewish life… learning, community, worship, caring for those in need or social justice; by leaving a legacy, you ensure that the things you value most are sustained for future generations. We encourage you to seize this opportunity to inscribe your Jewish legacy to express your values, honor your heritage and do something lasting for our community. If you’d like to consider participating in LIFE & LEGACY giving please contact our Chief Philanthropy Officer Keith Goldmann kgoldmann@jewishbroward.org or our Director of LIFE & LEGACY Judy Levenson 954-660-2076 jlevenson@jewishbroward.org. CHAI TIMES 7
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WE AT CHAI CARE...
Provide a holistic, donor-centered approach to advocating for older adults who are facing the challenges of aging, disability or injury. Chai Care assures that donors receive valuable, cost-effective care and an array of services that arise from health and medical related issues through the aging process. Chai Care helps donors and their loved ones understand the options and costs relevant to managing their daily lives. Bob Schneider | Board Chair Bill J. Gross | Chair, Jewish Community Foundation Carol Lasek | Chair, Chai Care Michael Balaban | President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Goldmann | Chief Philanthropy Officer Esther Cohen | Director, Chai Care
OF BROWARD COUNTY
@JEWISHBROWARD WWW.JEWISHBROWARD.ORG
JEWISH FEDERATION OF BROWARD COUNTY 5890 South Pine Island Road • Davie, FL 33328 ■ 954-252-6900
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