Signer Spotlight: Marvin Blum

Marvin and his daughter Lizzy Savetsky signed the pledge this year. View their video of why they signed here.

Why did you sign the Jewish Future Pledge?

My grandparents came to America with nothing but the clothes on their backs and knowledge between their ears. They raised my parents and me with their strong values: a commitment to our faith, education, spirituality, and a determination to find meaning in life. I raised my kids with those same values, so Lizzy and her brother Adam grew up seeing the same example set for them about embracing your Jewish identity.

Signing the pledge came naturally as a way to give back, put my values into writing, and help ensure the survival of the Jewish people.

As a father, how did you approach teaching your children about Judaism?

I wanted to live by example. Research has shown that your kids watch you far more than they listen to you. I wanted them to take pride in their heritage and embrace their role as a link in the chain, and not feel resentment or pressure tied to their Jewish life and identity.

How can estate planning and charitable giving bring families closer together?

Studies have shown that the more you know about your ancestry, the higher your self-esteem. The more you know about the obstacles your family has overcome, the more equipped you are to handle adversity when you face it.

In today’s very fragile world, the family “glue” is philanthropy. Intentional philanthropy and legacy letters provide a way for families to unite, make decisions together, stay linked, and bond over supporting causes meaningful to the family as a whole.

Philanthropy, when done right, can preserve your Jewish heritage by supporting causes related to your family history.

About Marvin Blum

Marvin E. Blum, J.D., C.P.A. is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Blum Firm, P.C., and is board certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law. New York’s Worth magazine named Marvin to their prestigious list of “Nation’s Top 100 Attorneys.” He has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times for his expertise on the estate tax and income tax. He also pens a blog about Family Legacy Planning – read it here.

Marvin is based in Fort Worth, Texas, where he lives with his wife Laurie.