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DONOR ADVISED FUNDS 11 Shira Levines Philanthropic Mantra When Shira Levine talks about her philanthropic pursuits her eyes light up and a knowing grin emerges on her face. Anyone who knows Shira knows that she approaches all aspects of her life with passion gratitude and a desire to soak up knowledge and that she does this with absolute joy. Whether through her professional work or her giving she is an out-of-the-box thinker. This has made her a successful veteran of Silicon Valley and a thoughtful philanthropist and leader. For the latter accomplishment her tool is her Donor Advised Fund DAF. I worked at eBay in the early days Shira remembers. I was looking for ways to be strategic about my financial flexibility. I had always been charitable but here was a chance to be more deliberate about my giving. Shortly after her success at eBay her parents recommended that she open a Donor Advised Fund. The DAF which she opened at the Federation seemed like a great vehicle to start a life in philanthropy due to its ease of use and potential to help her fulfill what she called her philanthropic mantra Jews Jazz and Art. Her mantra has evolved over the years leading her to fund organizations and programs that include her familys interests world issues through a Jewish lens and most recently a deeper focus on the Torah. After being selected as a Wexner Fellow in the 2006 class Shira explains I became very interested in supporting Jewish nonprofits that bring us all closer to Torah physically theoretically or figuratively as well as bringing together the many voices on the Jewish spectrum. Shira seeks out the most innovative leaders and organizations as the ones she chooses to support organizations and programs that are breaking the mold and promising a huge potential for social impact. My family participates in cutting edge Jewish programs at emerging institutions Shira notes. Institutions like Urban Adamah a place where kids and young adults learn and love Judaism by working the landa place where that love also translates into helping feed the needy. I am looking to support an Oakland-based opportunity that uses Jewish ethics to address the widening economic opportunity gap. Oakland is where I live and I want to be a Jew who works on a brighter and more equitable future for the whole community. Besides Urban Adamah Shira also funds American Jewish World Service and Keshet and maintains a focus on art institutions comic books and local synagogues. I believe the Bay Area is leading a cultural revolution of modern Judaism that is accessible exciting and deeply meaningful Shira adds. For more information on starting a DAF contact DAFsfjcf.org or call 415.512.6205 J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y F E D E R AT I O N A N D E N D O W M E N T F U N D