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Writing a “Legacy Letter,” a Jewish Ethical Will for the 21st Century

A legacy letter (also called an ethical will) is a written document that allows people to share their life lessons, express their values and transmit their blessings to future generations.  A legacy letter is not a formal legal document or a full-length memoir; it’s a brief personal statement, typically just a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for children, grandchildren and other loved ones.

Ethical wills (tzava’ot in Hebrew) are deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, beginning with Jacob’s instructions to his sons in Genesis 49.  There has been a recent resurgence of interest in this tradition and people of all faiths and backgrounds are now choosing to write an ethical will or legacy letter.  That is especially true this year, when so many people are thinking about what is really important to them, what lessons they have to share, and how they want to be remembered.

This four-session online course is designed to introduce the concept of legacy letters and to help you craft your own legacy letter.  The course includes interactive discussion and several brief writing exercises; it offers advice and a model structure to help you complete your letter, share it with loved ones and preserve it for future generations.  Our goal is to create a small and supportive online learning community that will invite you to share your stories and encourage you to start writing.

Jay Sherwin

In a long and varied career, Jay Sherwin has practiced law, given away money for Jewish and secular charitable foundations, worked as a philanthropy consultant and served as a hospital chaplain. Drawing on all those experiences, Jay created the Life Reflections Project to educate people about legacy letters and ethical wills; he now teaches classes and workshops on legacy writing and helps people craft their own legacy documents.  

Jay is a Massachusetts native who lived in the Boston area for many years; he and his wife Rachel Lefkowitz now live in Portland, Maine.  You can read more about Jay and his work to promote legacy writing on his website at www.jaysherwin.com.