When Manuel Spivak realized that, despite his best efforts, managing a private foundation had simply become too much of a burden, he knew there must be a better way.

And, after his accountant, Jordan Caplan of Crowe Soberman LLP, suggested that “better way” was the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto, the Spivaks were introduced to the concept of a charitable fund and the Jewish Foundation.

As a result, in 2013, Manuel, along with his wife Phyllis, transferred their Private Foundation to the Jewish Foundation. They established a Donor Advised Fund and the Spivak family is now able to maintain their philanthropy by making distributions to the charities of their choice every year and planning for the future without the burden and expense of running a private foundation.

And, with the Jewish Foundation’s cadre of first-rate professionals managing the Spivak’s philanthropic choices, not only has Manuel – who was the first Jewish doctor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Toronto General Hospital - relieved himself of a major burden, he also has gained the peace of mind that goes with knowing his fund is in good hands, and that the Foundation’s staff and board of trustees will be working with them to make well-informed decisions that are in the best interest of the Jewish community.

“I never got an allowance, but I did a lot of good, simple work that young people would do in those days,” said Manuel who, as a youth, worked at Maple Leafs Stadium, the racetrack and taught beginners Hebrew at Holy Blossom Temple. While saving his hard earned money for university, Manuel, despite his relative youth, always made a point to give back.

“You had to be willing to give away money to help others, and I enjoyed doing it from an early age,” says Manuel who credits his favourite television show of the late 50s, The Millionaire, where strangers in need would be given a million dollars, as an inspiration for his philanthropy.

Manuel and Phyllis hope that their children; Jonathan and Sari, Sari’s husband Howard and their children, Zachary and Joshua, will maintain strong Jewish identities and be concerned about those less fortunate in the community while taking part in managing the family fund.

“I know there are many people, with more wealth, and they’d probably like to set up a fund and distribute their wealth as well – they just don’t know their options,” said Manuel who hopes that by sharing his story he can bring to light the ways in which other people can establish funds at the Jewish Foundation.