How everyone can play a role in securing the future of WLS

SECURING THE FUTURE OF WLS

Being part of our community, knowing and feeling that we are amongst friends, is at the heart of what we do. Members and Friends benefit in many different ways from being part of West London Synagogue - from our magnificent services, from the range of learning and social opportunities or through supporting our work in the wider community.

Members contribute to this range of activities, both financially and practically, and one of the easiest ways you can help secure the future of WLS is to leave us a legacy in your will.

Leaving a legacy does not affect your current financial position, can have tax advantages and helps secure WLS’ future.

HOW LEAVING A LEGACY CAN HELP WLS

Without a capital fund behind it, WLS struggles from year to year to break even and we only do so thanks to the generosity of some of our members. While we are fortunate to have this support, relying on short term, one-off donations does not help us meet either the long-term needs of the community or the challenges we face due to changing social and economic trends.

Legacy funding will help WLS meet these challenges not just for the present generation, but for our children, grandchildren and congregations in the future.

This is what we can do for them, now.

You can choose what your legacy is to be used for. It is possible to leave a legacy for a specific purpose, remembering that needs change as time passes. But the most useful kind of legacy is one which is for the general purposes of WLS. An alternative is to leave a legacy to the separate Endowment Fund that has been set up, with its own trustees and governance, to support long term financial stability for WLS. We are always ready to discuss with members how they would like their legacy to be used.

HOW DO I LEAVE A LEGACY TO WLS? 

Any existing will can easily be modified by a “codicil”- this is a document, which accompanies an existing will and changes its terms such as to leave a legacy to WLS. It is even easier to leave a legacy to WLS if you are preparing a new will. You should discuss a proposed legacy with your family and your solicitor to understand the options. If you do not have a suitable solicitor to assist, WLS has a list of independent firms which can help.

WLS also provides a free and confidential service to members allowing you to leave with us, for safe keeping, a letter of wishes to apply in the event of your death. This may cover items such as funeral preferences and special requests. It may also include things like a message to your family or shiva/memorial requests. WLS will try implement and respect your wishes as best it can.

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For more information, please contact:

• David Strang, Head of the Legacy Programme
• Andrew Stone, President

Thank you for considering West London Synagogue in your giving plans.