Les and Renee Sandler saw firsthand how giving through the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati changes lives, and it motivated them to make a significant gift
Submitted by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
“It’s too important to wait,” said Les Sandler, his voice urgent. His words resonated with everyone in the room — the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s Israel Emergency Fund (IEF) Allocations Committee. We were reviewing prospective projects to fund when Les stopped us in our tracks. He knew immediate action was needed to support the teenagers of Kiryat Shmona, a small city in northern Israel near the Lebanese border, whose residents had been displaced because of the war. Following the IEF Allocations Committee’s assessment of the most urgent needs, Les and his wife, Renee, were moved to make a significant gift to improve the mental health of hundreds of these teens. Over the summer and during the Jewish holidays, dispersed teens were brought together through meetups, conferences, and gatherings, giving them the chance to rebuild friendships and community, which are vital to their developing sense of identity.
I was deeply moved by Les and Renee’s trust in the Federation. It matters: a gift to the right people at the right time changes lives.
At the Jewish Federation, I wear many hats, but the one I cherish most is being a philanthropic advisor. In this role, I help community members explore why giving is meaningful to them, how they want to make an impact, and where their generosity can address the most pressing needs in our community and for Jewish people everywhere. Whether addressing urgent needs or creating a lasting legacy, we work alongside donors to ensure their contributions reflect their values and have a meaningful impact.
The Federation’s deep understanding of the community — rooted in strong personal relationships, informed by data, and supported by partnerships with other organizations — helps keep Jewish Cincinnati strong and resilient. Through these connections, my colleagues and I are able to continually assess evolving needs in key areas like engagement, education, safety, health, and connection. We then work with donors to support their goals in these areas. We aim to find the resources to meet our community’s aspirations.
Les and Renee hadn’t been involved with the Federation before October 7. Their participation in the Israel Emergency Fund Allocations Committee, where they observed how the Federation addressed urgent needs, led them to make their first significant gift. This experience also encouraged them to become more engaged, with Les continuing his involvement on the Israel and Overseas Allocations Committee.
Les and Renee’s story is just one example of how impactful a single gift can be.
It’s thanks to donors like Les and Renee that we’re able to respond not just to immediate crises but also to support the long-term health of our community, locally and globally.
I’ve had the privilege of working with many other dedicated supporters, such as Bob Brant, our Annual Campaign cochair and a member of our Planned Giving & Endowment Committee. Through his gift to the Annual Campaign, Bob — like all our donors — makes it possible for us to address immediate community needs, from supporting Holocaust survivors to combatting antisemitism on college campuses and assisting families facing financial hardship.
Beyond his annual support, Bob also made a lasting commitment several years ago through making a legacy gift, and has increased the gift since. “I made this commitment to the Federation and other local agencies because I love our community,” said Bob. “Also, I am confident in how these organizations collaborate efficiently to support our community. My annual donations to the Federation and other agencies are essential but the legacy gifts are necessary to ensure my support continues forever. In addition, as an advisor to many, I always discuss whether individuals want to have the impact of their annual giving continue after they are gone.” As Bob stated, legacy gifts like this ensure that donors’ support and values live on in perpetuity, securing a strong and vibrant future for generations to come.
We at Federation welcome and strive for this package of annual, legacy, and direct giving (like Les and Renee’s gift); because this combination works the best to support our community both short- and long-term.
Afterward, I told Les and Renee, “Your gift took my breath away. It inspires me every time I think about it.” Their generosity, like Bob’s and that of so many others, reflects the shared values that unite us as a community. The entire Federation team is driven by the commitment to bring those values to life. It’s incredibly moving to help guide gifts that can align our donors’ passions with critical needs to make a lasting impact.
From the teenagers of Kiryat Shmona to those facing rising antisemitism in Cincinnati, gifts like these have made an immense difference. However, with the war’s escalation in northern Israel and increasing local antisemitic threats that require heightened response, the needs are growing. Continued support is more critical than ever to meet these challenges and secure a strong and vibrant future for the community.
