Doug Lonstein is a recent retiree who spent his career conducting commercial and multifamily real estate analysis for financial institutions and government agencies. Upon retiring in April of 2024, his focus shifted to his financial future and what his legacy will be.

Doug has a degree in finance and some understanding of financial planning but struggled to find the best way to divide and pass along his assets within the framework of current tax rules. In his research, he discovered that if you name an individual as a beneficiary of your 401(k), this individual may incur a significant tax burden.

To avoid passing these tax liabilities along to his nieces and nephews – the recipients of his estate – Doug decided to name charitable organizations, such as Yad Sarah, as the beneficiaries of his 401(k) accounts. Charitable organizations do not have to pay income taxes on funds received from a 401(k). Instead of his taxable 401(k) accounts, Doug's other assets – including real estate, stocks, and bonds – will be distributed among his family upon his passing.

While he understands the value of donating to larger charities, Doug believes it is important to support the smaller organizations that run efficiently and are doing positive work in their respective communities. "Yad Sarah touches so many people across Israel, from so many walks of life," he said, adding that he has family living in Israel. "I read the ratings of Yad Sarah on Charity Navigator and was impressed," Doug explains.

"I like that the organization is run efficiently, so I know my donations are making an Impact."

Doug also asked his sister Sara Gilbert, a rabbi in Denver, Colorado, about Yad Sarah. Rabbi Gilbert reacted enthusiastically, saying that during a visit to Jerusalem, she visited Yad Sarah House and purchased crafts sold in the Yad Sarah Gift Shop.

Although he has not yet been to Israel, Doug hopes to visit soon and plans to visit Yad Sarah and learn more about the work first-hand.