By Karen Secular, Create a Jewish Legacy program coordinator

When Judah Maccabee led his brothers in battle to save the Jewish people, he was fighting for a strong Jewish future.  But only in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that centuries later we’d be singing songs about him. More than being the leader who orchestrated the capture of Jerusalem and rededication of the Temple — witnessing the miracle of the oil — Judah Maccabee was truly a hero who left a legacy.

Today, not in Jerusalem but here in Greater MetroWest NJ, I am lucky to work with 15 Jewish organizations to encourage their members to leave their own legacies for future generations.

Let me be clear: we’re not advocating taking up arms, like the Maccabees did; you can leave YOUR legacy by making a planned gift through your will, retirement account, or other estate plan to one or more Jewish organizations in our community whom you would go to battle for.

After all, a legacy is something that is passed from one generation to the next.  It’s what future generations will inherit, sometimes from people they will never meet, like the Maccabees.

Leaving a legacy gift sends a powerful message to your family and neighbors. It says you believe in the places, programs, and values that make up our Jewish community.  You want them to be strong for the next generation. You are living the value of giving back and the value of paying it forward. You are a shamash, a leader in our community.

As the dreidel reminds us — nes gadol haya sham — a great miracle happened there, in Jerusalem. This month let’s kindle the Hanukkah lights, spin those dreidels, and sing your family’s favorite songs. Then call JCF and have a confidential conversation with me or one of my colleagues about your dream for the future of our community. What will Greater MetroWest look like in 100 years? One thousand?  Maybe our descendants will be talking about nes gadol haya po, the great miracle that happened here when their ancestors planted the roots for our strong Jewish future.