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Welcome to the October edition of the Jewish Future Promise Newsletter.

P romiser s to date: The Jewish Future Promise reached 142,468 Signers, and the Jewish Youth Promise now has 37,191 Youth Signers.

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New & Ne wsworthy

[link removed] The Jewish Future Is Not Guaranteed [ [link removed] ] -eJewishPhilanthropy (Mike Leven)
[link removed] Why Jewish Philanthropy Needs Everyday Givers, Not Just Billionaires [ [link removed] ]-Times of Israel (Hadara Ishak)
[link removed] Jewish communities commemorate October 7 Massacre’s second anniversary worldwide [ [link removed] ]-The Jerusalem Post (Michael Starr)
[link removed] More than tuition: Why Jewish education is communal responsibility [ [link removed] ] -Cleveland Jewish News (Josh Schalk)

How To: How To Write An Ethical Will

An ethical will , or tzava’a in Hebrew, is your chance to pass on the wisdom, values, and life lessons that matter most. Think of it as ethical and emotional estate planning: a heartfelt legacy of who you are and what you’ve learned, rather than what you own.
What It Is:
Historically, ethical wills were written by those who had little material wealth but wanted to share their beliefs, experiences, and love with future generations. Today, they serve as a powerful way to express your guiding principles, hopes, and reflections alongside your legal will.
What to Include:
An ethical will can take any form, a letter, a video, or a written document, but it often answers three key questions:
1. Do my loved ones know my wishes?
2. Do they understand what matters most to me?
3. Have I said everything I want to say?
Suggested Structure:
* Your Story: Share meaningful life events, experiences, or traditions that shaped your values.
* Personal Reflections: Express what brings you joy, your relationship with G-d, and why the Jewish future matters to you.
* Loved Ones: Offer gratitude, love, and the lessons you’ve learned from family and friends.
* Life Advice: Share the principles that guided you in relationships, work, and giving back.
* Requests & Reflections: Include burial wishes, causes you care about, and words of forgiveness or closure.
Recommended Reads:
* Ethical Wills & How to Prepare Them — Rabbi Jack Riemer & Dr. Nathaniel Stampfer
* The Wealth of Your Life — Susan B. Turnbull
* Ethical Wills: Putting Your Values on Paper — Barry K. Baines
* So Grows the Tree — Jo Kline Cebuhar

Promiser Spotlight: Sandy Cardin

Sanford “Sandy” Cardin is the founder of Global Jewry and Senior Consultant for Philanthropy and Impact at Cresset Capital. A graduate of Harvard University and a member of the bar in D.C., Florida, Maryland, and the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandy began his career in law before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. He served as the first executive director and later president of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, leading the organization for 25 years. Sandy has also served as CEO of Our Common Destiny, worked with the Jerusalem Foundation, and held leadership roles on numerous Jewish and philanthropic boards, including the JCC Association of North America and Hebrew At The Center.
You’ve dedicated your career to strengthening Jewish life. What inspired you to sign the Jewish Future Promise, and how does it connect to your lifelong mission?
I signed the Jewish Future Promise because it is a tangible way to ensure the values and commitments I have carried throughout my career endure for generations to come. I learned from my parents that our future depends on sustained investment in Jewish life, learning, and community. The Promise is a public affirmation of that belief, aligning perfectly with my upbringing and lifelong mission to strengthen Jewish life worldwide. It is both a personal commitment and an invitation for others to join in securing our shared future.
Global Jewry’s mission is to foster trust, collaboration, and mutual respect among Jews worldwide. Can you share how this work is unfolding and why it’s so critical at this moment in history?
We’re building trust and real relationships in places where, too often, there’s been distance or misunderstanding. In a time of deep polarization, we’re creating spaces —virtual and real—where connection and communication are the norm, not the exception. That matters now more than ever, because the challenges we face — from antisemitism to disconnection — demand a united and coordinated response. We’re weaving a global network strong enough to hold all of us. When we bring our diverse strengths together, we amplify our collective impact.
From your perspective, what is the Global Jewry doing to ensure Jewish organizations work together, and can you share some examples of your success in this area?
One of the things I love most about Global Jewry is watching organizations realize they can achieve more together than apart. We’re fostering partnerships between organizations that might not have worked together otherwise, encouraging shared goals over competing agendas. We’ve brought Jewish leaders from all over the world into the same conversations, created global roundtables focused on the climate, arts, sports, and more, and helped education groups share resources across continents. We are also celebrating partnerships through our prize programs that set an example for others. These aren’t just “nice-to-have” collaborations — they’re proof that solidarity can be practical, productive, and inspiring. Every time two or more groups come together and succeed, it sends a message: we’re stronger side by side.
You’ve led transformative initiatives through the Schusterman Family Foundation, Our Common Destiny, and now Global Jewry. How do you see these efforts intersecting to shape the Jewish future?
Looking back, my work at the Schusterman Family Foundation, Our Common Destiny, and now Global Jewry feels like one continuous thread. At Schusterman, I remember sitting with young leaders who were bursting with ideas and just needed someone to believe in them. With Our Common Destiny, I saw how shared values could bring Jews from wildly different backgrounds into the same room — and keep them there. Now, with Global Jewry, we’re turning that unity into action by connecting communities worldwide. Different tools, same mission: a Jewish future built on connection and purpose. Together, they form a continuum of effort to inspire and equip Jews everywhere to see themselves as part of a single, interconnected people. That shared vision is the foundation for a vibrant Jewish future.
In a time of rising antisemitism and fragmentation, what gives you hope about the resilience of the Jewish people?
I am inspired by the creativity, determination, and generosity I see in Jewish communities around the world, especially among young people. Even in the face of antisemitism and division, individual Jews are finding innovative ways to connect, help one another, and reaffirm their identity, while Jewish organizations are beginning to cooperate and collaborate in an unprecedented fashion. So, while there is still much room for improvement, there is light among all the darkness. Our history is a testament to resilience; we have always adapted without losing our essence. That enduring spirit gives me great confidence in our future.
How can individual Jews, regardless of affiliation, geography, or background, play a role in building the kind of unified, thriving future Global Jewry envisions?
Every Jew can play a role by finding ways to connect, contribute, and collaborate beyond their immediate circles. No matter where you live or what your background is, you have something to offer our shared future. Whether it’s mentoring like the retired Jewish professionals in our Amitim program, volunteering in other ways, supporting a cause, or simply engaging respectfully across differences, individual actions add up to a stronger whole. Global Jewry provides opportunities for people to join initiatives that transcend boundaries, making unity not just an aspiration but a lived reality. Our vision depends on each person seeing themselves as a stakeholder in our shared destiny. At Global Jewry, we’re trying to make it easy for people to plug into something bigger than themselves and feel the joy of making a difference
What is one lesson you’ve learned from decades of Jewish leadership that you would pass on to the next generation of Jewish changemakers?
One lesson I would pass on is that relationships are the true currency of Jewish life and leadership. Programs, strategies, and resources matter, but it is trust and mutual respect that sustain long-term change. Invest in people, listen with humility, and build partnerships founded on a shared purpose. In my experience, the best ideas often come from unexpected partnerships. So, invest in people first; the rest will follow. That’s how transformative work happens—and how it lasts.
Read Sandy Cardin ’s full promiser spotlight article [link removed] here [ [link removed] ].

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