01/08/2024
Providing a Thriving Jewish Life for All
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Beth and Frank Rosenberg
Beth and Frank Rosenberg both grew up in Shaker Heights, but their paths did not cross until after college when a friend introduced them. Beth went to Shaker Heights public schools, and Frank attended the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School (then Agnon), then Shaker Heights public schools for middle school onward. Both were active in youth groups, Beth in the North American Federation of Temple Youth Northeast Lakes Region (then NELFTY now NFTY NEL) and Frank in Betar. They each brought meaningful aspects of their Jewish values to their marriage and created a family together that combined their values of Jewish observance and community participation. To this day, the Rosenberg family (Frank’s four siblings and their families) has Shabbat dinner together every week.
Neither Beth nor Frank remember discussing philanthropy with their parents, but they knew their parents contributed to the community financially and through participation. As they built their family, philanthropy continued as a constant thread, including giving financially as well as serving on committees and boards.
Beth was deeply honored when she was asked to serve on the board of trustees at the Gross Schechter Day School (then Solomon Schechter Day School) when her oldest daughter Alix was in first grade. After serving as a board chair for the first time, she’s continued in her leadership roles at the Federation and many of its local beneficiary agencies – including Kent State Hillel, Menorah Park, and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland – as well as Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
Frank, always involved as well, shares that his “heart and soul” is with the synagogue. His most recent leadership role was as board chair at Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai, where he often attends minyan and helps in any way he can. A person with leadership and mechanical skills – he once fixed the elevator at shul – Frank is called upon often and always shows up!
When it comes to their Jewish legacy, Beth and Frank are on the same page. “We need to make sure that our Jewish community can continue to serve those in need and provide a thriving Jewish life for all,” explained Frank. Beth added, “Sometimes we take what we have for granted, but others see what we have in Cleveland. When my cousin needed assisted living, her family brought her here, although they did not live here. They knew that she would receive the best care possible at our Jewish facilities.”
A challenge for the Rosenbergs was deciding which of their many priorities they would support permanently with gifts through their estate plan. As participants in the Federation’s LIFE & LEGACY program, the Rosenbergs decided with the guidance of their estate attorney that the best solution for them was to designate their Federation donor advised fund as the beneficiary of a percentage of their estate.
Upon receipt of the bequest, the Federation will create The Beth & Frank Rosenberg Endowment Fund, which will annually distribute funds based on their expressed recommendations. They may update their choices at any time without needing to update their estate documents. Beth and Frank like the flexibility this plan provides, although changes are unlikely.
Frank shared the philanthropic philosophy he and Beth live by, “No matter how hard you think your life is, you can always help others who have it even tougher than you.”
They hope that they have passed these values to their children – Alix, Molly, Sara, and their families. Beth said, “We want them to feel connected and part of something bigger than just themselves or our family.” To Beth and Frank’s delight, their youngest daughter Sara and her husband, David, recently moved back to Cleveland and their oldest child is attending preschool at Gross Schechter Day School.
The Rosenbergs are thrilled that the newest generation of their family will be part of the Jewish Cleveland that past generations helped to build. And they are honored to be able to add to that legacy for the benefit of future generations to come.
