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Charlotte Hirsch Garfield knows a thing or two about the business world. After graduating high school at 16, marrying at 18 and getting her college degree at 20, she became an exporter—"by accident," she explains.

Charlotte's career has taken many twists and turns over the years. She worked at a Fortune 500 company, where she was the only woman executive, and then created her own successful firm. She also spent time as a bridge master on cruise ships, has worked as a travel agent "on the side," and instructed ballroom dancing. "I still do the Argentinian tango once a week," Charlotte laughs. Through it all, she was raising her family, paving the way for working mothers to follow.

But beneath her rich and varied adulthood is a very different kind of childhood. Charlotte grew up in Hamburg, and remembers 1930's Germany all too well. Her parents were late to heed the warning signs of what was coming and decided to leave their home just at the last moment.

"We were on a German ship in the middle of the ocean near England when Munich happened," Charlotte recalls, referring to Neville Chamberlain's appeasement to Hitler in the 1938 Munich Agreement. "If Chamberlain had not given in, the ship would have turned around, and I probably wouldn't be alive today."

That twist of fate is not lost on Charlotte, which is partly why Hadassah's mission is so meaningful to her. "I never attended any meetings until now," she admits, "but I've always cared about what Hadassah is doing and they're doing a wonderful job. I think they should have all the support they can get."

With her business acumen, Charlotte feels strongly that setting up a  charitable gift annuity is a great way to give her support to Hadassah. "It's wonderful because you're getting something back through taxes, so it's almost costing you nothing," she explains. "It's economically very favorable. You get something back—not only in terms of material wealth, but also in spirit and good feeling and knowing you're doing something right. You're not taking much from your children's inheritance, and you're also leaving a better world for them."

Give, and Get Something Back
Contact Planned Giving & Estates at (800) 428-8884 or giving@hadassah.org to learn how you can benefit from a charitable gift annuity with Hadassah.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Hadassah a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Hadassah, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 40 Wall Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10005
ATTN: Planned Giving & Estates, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Hadassah or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Hadassah as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Hadassah as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Hadassah where you agree to make a gift to Hadassah and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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A comprehensive guide to all of Hadassah's planned giving options


How to make a gift for Hadassah through a charitable gift annuity


Deferred charitable gift annuities


Using retirement assets to make a gift to Hadassah


Using life insurance to make a gift to Hadassah


Favorite ways to make a gift to Hadassah






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