- Named Endowment Funds
For George Maisels and his wife, Lois, caring about others began at home in the Bay Area. George ran a liquor store in the Mission District of San Francisco for many years with his brother, Larry. Twenty years ago, he and Lois decided they wanted to leave a legacy for the Jewish community. They chose Jewish Family and Children’s Services to receive a substantial part of their estate, forming the George and Lois Maisels Perpetual Endowment Fund to help victims of domestic violence, children, seniors, emigres, and those in need of emergency assistance.
George and Lois Maisels
George was very religious, says his sister-in-law, Sally Cohen. He and Lois, who came from a Southern Jewish family from Chattanooga, Tennessee, were active synagogue members. Sally remembers the couple as cosmopolitan. They traveled extensively, kept abreast of world news, and made friends wherever they went. George, an industrious and self-educated gentleman who began working at a young age as a newspaper delivery boy, even taught himself some Mandarin and Tagalog over the years so he could communicate with local people during his travels. His love of people and his interest in current events, as well as his passion for newspapers, continued throughout his lifetime. Every day, he read seven papers.
Planning a Legacy
Lois shared George’s concern for others, Sally says. “For many years, she taught in an elementary school primarily composed of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. She knew that there were others who were less fortunate.”
While religious conviction and cultural identification drew George and Lois to JFCS, they also wanted to invest in a well-managed organization that cared about people as much as they did. In their professional and personal lives, the Maisels saw time and again the enormity of our community’s needs. They lived modestly and invested wisely, planning for their own future and the legacy they would leave behind. Lois passed away many years ago, not long after her retirement, and George died in December 2009. The endowment they established will help the most vulnerable members of our community for generations to come.
“George did not want a gushy tribute,” concludes Sally. The knowledge that he and Lois are allowing people to lead the best possible lives—thanks to their endowed fund—would have suited him just fine.
If you would like to start a Named Endowment Fund at JFCS, please contact [email protected] or 415-449-3858.