Mitzvah Society

Bequests – A Gift for Life

One of the ways that an individual can support King David’s educational vision is through a bequest. Over the years the School has been the recipient of a number of very generous legacies from members of the extended King David family. However while providing an environment that is rich in nurturing and instilling values for living and educational excellence in our students, King David is not rich. As in the past King David continues to rely on philanthropic support over and above tuition fees.

The Mitzvah Society, a body of members who advise the School that they have made a bequest to the School continues to grow, Phyliss Dory is one such members and has asked if she could share her thoughts on what makes The King David School so special and why she has left a bequest.

“There’s a saying, attributed I think to the late Audrey Hepburn, which states: "As you grow older, you'll discover that you have two hands: One for helping yourself, the second for helping others. "

For me, some of my earliest memories are of my parents teaching us about the importance of tzedakah, sharing the blessings of our lives with others. In good times and not-so-good times, they donated time, money and hard work to causes close to their hearts, and encouraged others to do the same. They taught me what it meant to live one’s life generously. I have tried to follow their example and by so doing, I hope I have honoured their tradition of community service.

I have spent most of my working life in the field of education, and over the past 10 years or so, an increasing amount of time becoming more involved with, and now undertaking voluntary leadership roles in, the progressive Jewish community. This has happily enabled me to connect more personally with The King David School on a number of levels, and to see the school grow into the wonderful institution it is today. While I don’t have children of my own, my nephews are students at the Southwick campus, and are a great source of joy and naches for us all, especially when we see the benefits gained from their participation in the learning opportunities offered by the school: their excitement as they learn new skills and competencies, as they sing joyfully at each festival celebration and share their wonderment as they learn about each milestone in our rich tradition and history. How can we ensure that same opportunity is afforded to other students in the future?

At this stage of my life, I can and do happily give my time, experience and passion, but in order to secure the future of the school, there is a need to do more. Our legacy is to make a difference to our community, and to society as a whole. I believe that as temporary guardians of our community, it is our duty to continue the work, not necessarily to finish it – our work is to hold it in trust for our future leaders, to plant the seeds. I can now, through the bequest left to The King David School in my will, fulfil my long-term desire to perpetuate our family’s legacy of giving, and ensure that even when we are no longer here, that trees will be harvested from those seeds!

For me, it is important to fulfil my “sacred” trust: to honour our parents and our teachers, all those who laid the foundation to get us where we are today.

"I am delighted to be able to share and celebrate my blessings with my family, good friends and my community. I hope you will join me and become a member of The King David School Mitzvah Society too. Can we count you in?"

Phyllis Dorey

The King David School is tremendously appreciative of the support that it receives from individuals such as Phyliss Dorey and others who Will part or all of their estate to the School. Bequests are vital in providing funds to assist in the development not only of physical infrastructure but also Scholarships and bursaries. A bequest need not be cash but perhaps take the form of shares, or bonds or property or a percentage of an estate.

Your gift can make a significant contribution to the development of Jewish education and the enrichment of a Progressive Jewish way of life. For information on the Mitzvah Society and how you can assist The King David School and its students well into the future, contact Michael Lynn on 9291 7925.


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