"It's easy to give when times are good. Now is when we need to think a layer deeper, and reach out to others who are less fortunate," said Elaine Caplow. She and her husband, Elliott, who have been married 52 years, are doing their best to maintain their philanthropy during these difficult times.

Realizing that "Jews have to take care of Jews," the Caplows are strong supporters of the local Jewish community and Israel. Elliott, who is retired from the real estate business he founded, serves on the President's Council of the American Jewish Committee's Los Angeles Chapter. Elaine is "1,000 percent passionate" about her work for the Memory Disorder Center at Cedar Sinai Hospital. In 2002, the couple opened a Donor Advised Fund at The Foundation, "because we felt that The Foundation would maintain a level of excellence and perpetuate our sense of what is right for the Jewish community," said Elaine.

As our donor population ages, Elaine believes, the next generation must step up to support the Jewish community. She and Elliott have instilled those values in their sons, Mark, who manages the family real estate business, and Brad, an architect, who will in turn pass the family values on to the Caplows' five grandchildren.

These days, having a fund at The Foundation gives the Caplows the confidence that they can continue to help others. As Elaine says: "We feel good knowing that it's there. Even if we would not contribute from our personal funds as easily as in the past, the Foundation fund gives us the opportunity to continue to give back."

Elaine and Elliot Caplow