Ethical Wills

Dear Friends,

      Most of you who attended this past Shabbat's morning service expressed interest in having the Ethical Will template I referenced in my sermon on Parshat Vayehi made available to you.  I could not be happier to oblige.  I suggested this morning that if you create an Ethical Will you provide me with an electronic copy, at mhtml:{0FCC146D-1BBA-459F-8769-883B1B58A1B0}mid://00000008/!x-usc:mailto:rabbimichael@cbswilmde.org  and that you provide a hard copy to be placed in your Congregation Beth Shalom membership file.  This is but one way of ensuring your values and life experience outlive you and influence future generations.

     The Ethical Will template was created by Rabbi Jack Reimer, in his book, So That Your Values Live On-Ethical Wills and How to Prepare Them.  It was reprinted from Dr. Ron Wolfson's book, A Time to Mourn A Time to Comfort, published by The Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs.

May you live to be 120 and may your vision and wisdom live on even longer. 

       B'shalom, Rabbi Michael

   

Dear Friends,

      Most of you who attended this past Shabbat's morning service expressed interest in having the Ethical Will template I referenced in my sermon on Parshat Vayehi made available to you.  I could not be happier to oblige.  I suggested this morning that if you create an Ethical Will you provide me with an electronic copy, at mhtml:{0FCC146D-1BBA-459F-8769-883B1B58A1B0}mid://00000008/!x-usc:mailto:rabbimichael@cbswilmde.org  and that you provide a hard copy to be placed in your Congregation Beth Shalom membership file.  This is but one way of ensuring your values and life experience outlive you and influence future generations.

     The Ethical Will template was created by Rabbi Jack Reimer, in his book, So That Your Values Live On-Ethical Wills and How to Prepare Them.  It was reprinted from Dr. Ron Wolfson's book, A Time to Mourn A Time to Comfort, published by The Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs.

May you live to be 120 and may your vision and wisdom live on even longer. 

       B'shalom, Rabbi Michael

    1.  Start by writing sentences on important topics, among them:

The formative events in my life were...

The people who influenced me most...

The important lessons I've learned in life...

My definition of true success...

The Jewish values I cherish most...

The things I want to ask your forgiveness for...

I forgive you for...

How much I love you...

    2.  Organize what you want to say using this format.

Opening

     1.  "I write this to you, my ____in order to _____"

The family

     1.  My parents, siblings, antecedents were/are...

     2.  Events that helped share our family ...

Personal history

     1.  People who strongly influenced my life...

     2.  Event(s) that helped shape my life...

Religious observances, insights

     1.  The ritual(s) of most meaning to me...

     2.  Specific teachings from Jewish source(s) that moved me most...

Ethical Ideals and practices

     1.  Ideals that found expression in my life...

     2.  I would like to suggest to you the following...

Closing

     1.  My ardent wishes for you...

     2.  May the Almighty...

3.  Personalize and strengthen the links with words that have special meaning to you and your family, favorite sayings, anecdotes, and stories that help crystallize the memories of your life.

4.  Write the will on acid-free paper with foundtain pen, or use modern technologies of communicaiton, including audio and videotape.

5.  Decide when to present the ethical will--before your death, leave it as a spiritual legacy afer your death, or both.

6.  Attach the ethical will as a codicil to other wills, estate plans or living wills.

You may want the rabbi to read portions of your ethical will as part of the eulogy.