Designated Giving

Longtime friends of The Home, Candy and Steve Berman, set up an endowment fund to support Jewish HomeLife team members with continuing education. The Berman’s intentionally did not name the fund to encourage other donors to recognize the value of this cause and contribute to it generously. “We recognized that one of Jewish HomeLife’s greatest issues is attracting and retaining quality healthcare employees”, said Candy Berman. “By creating this endowment, which we will fund over the ensuing years, we hope that the team members will realize that the organization wants to invest in their future by offering the training necessary to reach the next level in specialized certifications. With this fund, we are truly giving them a “hand up,” not a “hand out.” Setting up an endowment fund is a simple way to make a long-term impact on an organization and on those who need it most. Think you aren’t in a position to set up an endowment? You might be surprised! Jewish HomeLife is proud to have donors of all levels who have invested in the organization by creating endowment funds.

Robert “Bob” and Eva Ratonyi may not be Atlanta natives, but they have called Atlanta home for over 42 years. Both care deeply for the Jewish community and have been friends of Jewish HomeLife for a long time. Eva is a lifetime member of the Auxiliary. The Ratonyis became heavily involved with Jewish HomeLife during the construction of Berman Commons. Their longtime friend, Fred Halperin, invited the couple to meet Jewish HomeLife’s President & CEO Harley Tabak and take a tour. Early last year, Harley told Bob about a new project on the horizon, a clinic to benefit the residents and staff of The Cohen Home, the organization’s assisted living community in Johns Creek. Bob made a few trips out to the community to meet the residents and staff and toured potential sites for the new clinic. During one visit, Bob even made a new friend, a resident who also was originally from Hungary. They shared a brief exchange in their native language and Bob promised to return for future visits. Bob and Eva discussed their philanthropic priorities for the year and chose to support building the new clinic. “I think it’s important for Eva and me to give while we are still alive to see the benefits of our philanthropic dollars,” he said. “We are excited that this new clinic space will help the nursing staff and improve the quality of service provided to the residents at The Cohen Home.” Bob and Eva felt fortunate to be able to give back to the Jewish community by helping our most vulnerable population with a designated gift. Designated giving is just one way that you can support Jewish HomeLife and the older adults now and in future generations. We are so grateful that Bob has also pledged a portion of the royalties of his newly released book, From Darkness into Light to Jewish HomeLife. 

When you hear Steve Merlin’s name, you think of a model lay leader and volunteer across many organizations in Atlanta. This rings especially true for Jewish HomeLife, where Steve has been on the Board of Directors since 2001 and served as Board Chair from 2013 – 2016. He led the organization through the grand opening of Berman Commons and currently serves as Jewish Home Foundation Board Chair That is why it was no surprise that Steve’s three sons decided to start an endowment to honor Steve’s work and legacy at Jewish HomeLife. “Dad always wants to do things the right way. Whether it is for clients, the family or charitable organizations, he looks at challenges as opportunities to do things better and wants to see everyone win. From his philanthropic work in particular – whether it was his tenure as President of Shearith Israel when we were young boys – to the Create a Jewish Legacy program, or his most recent work with Jewish HomeLife – he brings others together to create new and exciting pathways to success.” Michael, Adam and Scott have generously started an endowment fund at Jewish HomeLife designated for resident scholarships. “Our dad has been an incredible mentor to all of us. His wisdom, calm and pragmatic disposition and genuine care for others have all been traits that we’ve tried to learn from and emulate.” If Steve isn’t visiting a friend at The William Breman Jewish Home or soliciting his friends to get involved, he can be found practicing law as a founding partner of Cohen Pollock Merlin Turner. A native of Atlanta, Steve enjoys his seven grandchildren, attending Braves and Georgia Tech games, volunteering and trips to the beach with his wife, JoLynn. “Our dad is the most respected person we know, and deservedly so. There is no community member, colleague, client or friend who does not hold him in the highest regard as a person, a professional and a volunteer. For us, no one could love, admire or respect a father more than we do him.”