By Sarah VanderWalde
Those who leave legacies live on in the hearts of the people they touch. Their achievements become immortal, spreading from generation to generation. Art Wolff, of blessed memory, was an avid supporter of Tzofim, a national Zionist youth movement in Israel, known locally in Memphis as the Israeli Scouts. Art dedicated himself to the Scouts, seeing the program as a way to introduce Memphis to the very best side of Israel. It is not surprising that Art’s legacy continues to support the Tzofim movement in Israel and abroad through the Art and Bert Wolff Jewish Continuity Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. The Wolff family is granting a total of $250,000 to fulfill Art’s dream. The first check was sent in July of 2018 with additional funds being sent over the next five years.
“My brother Brad and I are immensely proud of the work our father did to establish this program, and are very excited to see his legacy live on through the execution of this grant,” said Laura Morris, Art Wolff’s daughter. “43 years ago my father, of blessed memory, was the head Scout Master of the Jewish Boy Scout Troop in Memphis. Around then he was recruited by the leader of the Israel Scouts, Dan Koren, to help develop a program by which Scouts from Israel would come to the United States to work in Jewish summer camps and spread goodwill. The first Israel Scout Friendship Caravan was put together a few years later and began performing in cities throughout the United States… and look where we are today!”
This gift to the Israel Scouts will memorialize Art as a leader, social activist, and lover of all humanity. Programming will continue in Israel to connect more youth from diverse communities, promoting peace, friendship, and hope. Funding will also assist underprivileged Israeli scouts participate in the international programs.
Leaving a legacy gift through the Jewish Foundation of Memphis is simple. Leaders like Art Wolff, of blessed memory, will continue to make an impact on the world because of the legacy he and his family chose to leave. However, the Wolff family is not alone. Many others have carefully planned their legacy through the Jewish Foundation of Memphis to give back after their lifetime. What legacy will you leave? The resources at the Jewish Foundation of Memphis can help. Contact us at 901-374-0400.