Seven Funds, One Family Legacy

For Rochelle Weiss, philanthropy has always been about more than giving. It is about showing up, helping others, and passing those values on to the next generation.

A longtime donor and community leader, Rochelle has been involved with the Jewish Federation of St. Louis since she was a young woman, when she volunteered and helped with fundraising. She has continued to support the Federation throughout her life and is a proud Lion of Judah. She has also endowed her Lion of Judah pin in her will, ensuring that her commitment to the Jewish community will continue into the future.

Now, Rochelle is helping create a philanthropic legacy within her own family. She recently made the generous decision to open Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) through the Jewish Federation of St. Louis for each of her six grandchildren that are over the age of 20, as well as a Teen Tzedek fund for her grandchild under the age of 19.

“I wanted my grandchildren to realize not just how important it is to give back to their community, but it is an obligation,” Rochelle said.

A Donor Advised Fund gives individuals and families a flexible way to support the causes and organizations that matter most to them. Through a DAF at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, families can recommend grants to charitable organizations while engaging the next generation in conversations about philanthropy, tzedakah, and the needs of their community.

Teen Tzedek gives Jewish teens in St. Louis the opportunity to become philanthropists today. By managing their own giving fund, teens learn the values of tzedakah, civic responsibility, and leadership, all while making a real difference in the community. Teen Tzedek is open to Jewish teens ages 13-19.

“My grandchildren will learn about the needs of the community and have the ability to help,” said Rochelle.

Rochelle knows firsthand the fulfillment that can come from giving back. Her own experiences with the Federation shaped the way she views philanthropy today.

“At a young age, I volunteered for the St. Louis Jewish Federation and felt the gratification of helping others. I want my grandchildren to have the same experience and opportunity,” she said.

By giving each grandchild a Federation DAF, Rochelle hopes they will not simply watch others make a difference. She wants them to experience the responsibility and reward of making charitable decisions themselves.

“They won’t be a bystander and can be directly involved in supporting causes they believe in,” she said. “I hope they inherited the will and opportunity from their great grandparents, their grandparents, and parents to be philanthropic, knowing that this is a gift and their responsibility.”

For grandparents looking for a meaningful way to introduce their grandchildren to philanthropy, Rochelle has simple advice.

“The greatest gift of all is the gift of giving.”

For Rochelle, that lesson was shaped by generations before her, by her own experiences with the Federation, and through a lifelong commitment to her community. Now, she is giving her grandchildren the opportunity to begin building philanthropic legacies of their own.

The Center for Legacy Giving at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis helps individuals and families create giving strategies that reflect their values, engage their families, and build lasting impact. Unlike other DAF sponsors, Federation’s Center for Legacy Giving team provide Jewish philanthropic expertise and a personal touch. We get to know our donors on a personal level and are there to serve as a philanthropic advisor when and if needed.

To learn more about Donor Advised Funds, please click here.

For all questions about DAFs and the Teen Tzedek program, please contact Hannah Pelletiere, Foundation Associate, at HPelletiere@jfedstl.org or 314-442-3757.