- Named Endowment Funds
For George Maisels and his wife, Lois, both of blessed memory, 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. When 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, dedicating it to establish the George and Lois Maisels Perpetual Endowment Fund. The couple thoughtfully designated the fund to support domestic violence survivor services; housing assistance for seniors; immigration legal services; children’s services; and emergency assistance to those coping with hardship and crisis.
George and Lois Maisels z”l
George was very religious, recalled his sister-in-law, Sally Cohen. He and Lois, who came from a Southern Jewish family in Chattanooga, Tennessee, were active synagogue members. The couple was cosmopolitan. Sally recalled that 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 shared, “For many years, Lois 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.
Through the George and Lois Maisels Perpetual Endowment Fund, the couple continues to aid the most vulnerable members of our community. Their caring legacy will continue far into the future.
“George did not want a gushy tribute,” observed Sally. “The knowledge that he and Lois are allowing people to lead the best possible lives—thanks to their endowed fund—suits him.”
If you would like to start a Named Endowment Fund, please contact [email protected] or 415-449-3858.