Legacy Preserves a Family’s Values

Growing up, Dr. Jan Maisel was shaped by her first-generation American parents’ belief in tikkun olam, a Hebrew phrase meaning “world repair.” Her parents practiced this principle through their community and humanitarian efforts, supporting initiatives like inner-city development, educational advancement and children’s healthcare.

“My father started with nothing and became a self-made man. As he did well, he contributed to things in the world,” Jan notes. “After he died at a fairly young age, my mother reinvented herself as a philanthropist. I’ve had excellent role models in my life for giving back in the world.”

During her career as a pediatrician, Jan became aware of the International Rescue Committee through a mailing.

“There’s sorrow in my soul for people who suffer and don’t have control over their lives,” Jan says. “I read the mailing and thought, ‘This is great work that deserves support.’”

For more than 10 years now, Jan has been making annual gifts to the IRC. Recently, she has also named the IRC as a beneficiary of her IRA retirement plan.

“We have one life. People deserve to have freedom and the ability to generate shelter for themselves, food and work that fulfills them,” Jan says. “The IRC makes a difference in all of those areas.”

Jan is committed to sustaining the IRC’s work by providing unrestricted gifts, allowing them to be allocated wherever they’re needed most.

“It’s amazing to see the IRC’s humanitarian response to all the crisis situations that happen on this planet,” Jan notes. “They keep showing up. They keep making a difference, and they keep making an impact.”

Are You Ready to Create Your Legacy?

Like Jan, you can honor a loved one or reflect the compassionate person you are today through a legacy gift. Contact IRC's Planned Giving Team at +1 212 551 2954 or PlannedGiving@Rescue.org today to get started!