When Barbara Lincow's husband, Dr. Arnold Sheldon Lincow z"l passed away in early 2026, she knew she wanted to honor more than his blessed memory. She wanted to celebrate the Jewish values that remained a constant for them: the belief that giving back is one of life's greatest privileges and the shared responsibility to pass those values down to the next generation.
To honor their 57-year marriage and the life they built together, Lincow reflected on a decision she and Arnold had already made years earlier. In 2013, the couple established a legacy gift through the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Jewish Community Foundation as part of their long-term commitment to philanthropy.
Following Arnold's passing, Barbara expanded that legacy by adding a gift to Women of Vision, providing memberships for each daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in their family.
Lincow herself has been a long-time supporter and member of Women of Vision, a group of the Jewish Federation, which empowers women to drive social change through strategic grantmaking, advocacy, and education to improve the lives of self-identifying Jewish women and girls in Greater Philadelphia and Israel.
"I want them to understand the good that's being done and to find their own path,” she said of the gift she bestowed to the women in her life, in memory of her late husband.
She also said that it’s exactly the kind of gift that Arnold would have been proud of.
"We strongly felt that the way we led our lives with believing in philanthropy needed to be perpetuated," Lincow said. "By creating [this] legacy gift, [I] could accomplish that."
Barbara Lincow and her late husband, Dr. Arnold Sheldon Lincow z”l
The Jewish Community Foundation helped guide her every step of the way when making this meaningful decision during an undoubtedly difficult chapter in her life.
"Every stage of life brings moments of joy, challenge and reflection, and no one should have to navigate them alone,” said the Jewish Federation’s Chief Planned Giving Officer Jennifer Brier, Esq. “Whether someone is welcoming a new child, celebrating a milestone or honoring the memory of a loved one, we're here to help by connecting them with pathways that reflect their values.”
The Jewish Community Foundation works closely with individuals and families, like the Lincows, to provide them with top-tier, customized service to actualize philanthropic aspirations through smart investments. Whether it's making a beneficiary designation through an IRA or gifting real estate, the Foundation makes the process straightforward while providing compassionate, personalized guidance that honors each donor.
“While there are many ways to make a charitable gift today, what can't be replaced is the value of someone who takes the time to know your story, who you are and what you hope to achieve through your philanthropy,” Brier said. “In addition to our team’s years of experience and industry expertise, that’s the special touch that we offer at the Jewish Community Foundation. It is the human-to-human relationship.”
Lincow, who credits the Jewish Community Foundation with being an accommodating and thoughtful partner throughout their work, sees this gift as a reflection of the couple’s shared values.
"We both came from backgrounds where we didn't have the means to do much," she said. "But we both had the heart and the feeling that you support your community."
As a child, she attended summer camp through Jewish Family and Children's Service, which is supported by the Jewish Federation.
That's why, when the Lincows were in a position to give back, they made philanthropy part of their long-term plans. Having already established a legacy gift through the Jewish Community Foundation, their endowment fund will continue to support the Jewish Federation, several additional charitable organizations and Arnold's alma mater, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Now that legacy will expand even more with the addition of the Women of Vision gift.
“Barbara's story beautifully demonstrates how thoughtful planning can honor a loved one's memory while creating lasting impact for family and community alike,” Brier added. “We’re honored to help donors like the Lincows turn their philanthropic vision into a legacy that reflects what matters most to them.”
Lincow hopes her gift is not only meaningful to her family and all those who knew and loved her late husband, but to serve as a reminder to anyone who feels inspired that it is possible to live a life guided by tzedakah.
"There's something for everyone [in philanthropic giving]," Lincow said. "It's a matter of finding what touches your heart. What better way to be meaningful than to help a community?"
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What's your legacy?
The future of our community will be shaped by the choices we make today. To learn more about the Next 125 Campaign or how to make a lasting impact for generations to come, contact Chief Planned Giving Officer Jennifer Brier, Esq. at foundation@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0528.