ORT America Fetes Major Supporters at Two Gala Events

Some of ORT's biggest supporters recently attended glittering ORT America functions in New York City.

American members of World ORT's elite group of donors, the International 1880 Society, gathered together for an exclusive tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art followed by a reception at the trendy Bruno Jamais Restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008.

On Sunday, Sept. 21,  members of ORT America's Diamond Ladder Society and Major Gift groups gathered at French bistro restaurant Capsouto Freres, where they enjoyed a gourmet four-course dinner coupled with a tasting of exceptional Israeli wines under the guidance of sommelier and restaurateur Jacques Capsouto, a graduate of ORT Lyon.

Read More about ORT America's Two Gala Events.

New Legislation Provides Tax Benefits For Charitable Donations
Benefits Extended Retroactively For 70 1/2 And Above 

Good news for those donors 70 1/2 or older! Your generosity will be rewarded at tax time through The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, signed into law on October 3, 2008. The act extends the IRA Rollover gift provision included in the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which originally lapsed on December 31, 2007. The newly enacted legislation makes charitable gift incentives retroactive as of January 1, 2008, applying to 2008 and 2009 gifts of certain individual retirement account (IRA) assets.

Those who qualify can transfer up to $100,000 per person or $200,000 per couple per year from their separate traditional IRA or Roth IRA to ORT America without tax complications during your lifetime and witness the benefits of your generosity now. Participants will avoid paying federal income tax on the withdrawal as long as they are age 70 1/2 at the time the donation is made. Learn More