Bequeathal is a very interesting word. It comes from the Middle English biquethen, which comes from the Old English becwethan, which is formed with the root be and the verb cwethan. Cwethan means to say, and it also gives us the word “quote,” from “quoth”. The prefix be can mean one of three things: thoroughly, to make or seem, and to provide with. So literally the word bequeathal means to make said, or to provide with saying. This makes sense because when something is bequeathed, it is made said, usually in legal terms.

To commemorate a bequeathal, bronze plaques are used. Sometimes other kinds of memorial plaques, like a Tree of Life or Donor Walls are used, but, coming full circle, the point of these bronze plaques is to show what has been said. In a way, donor plaques bequeath bequeathals.

Donor walls are standard forms of commemorating bequeathals, in that they do honor to the gift that has been presented. If there were no donor plaques, it would be equivalent to not recognizing that a gift has been given, in a way, denying the existence of the gift, or at least not saying thank you. So say thanks, and buy bronze plaques to commemorate your bequeathals.

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about engraving, here’s some information to pique your interest. Engraving is the practice of cutting grooves into metals including gold, silver, brass, steel or glass, and is used to personalize everything from jewelry, trophies, bronze plaques and memorial plaques to knives, firearms and pet tags.

Metal engraving dates back to the 5th century B.C. and was particularly prevalent in ancient Greece in the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C. Urns were embellished with mythological scenes and there was further use for engraving with the development of the alphabet. Engraving reached its peak in the 15th century A.D. as it was used to decorate armor and shields to announce a person’s alliance.

Engraving was traditionally done by hand using a steel-tipped cutting tool called a burin (from the French word meaning "cold chisel"). A burin is typically held at a 30 degree angle to the surface, with the index and middle finger guiding the shaft. (The 16th century Flemish engraver Hendrik Goltzius’s malformed hand was perfectly suited to guiding a burin!) Each engraver has his or her own style and may use round gravers to make round cuts or V-point gravers to make angled cuts.

Today, engraving is still done by hand or by using newer techniques like laser engraving. Through the use of computer-controlled intense beams of light, laser technology allows clean and precise engravings to be made at very fast speeds.

The tree of life is a common symbol in religious art of all denominations. Perhaps it is such a common motif in religious art, because of the deep meaning it implies. Its roots are in heaven, and the branches and leaves spread out and bring prosperity to the earth. The tree of life works well for donor walls because the donors, or the branches of the tree, spread and bring prosperity to the earth, and their good works are no doubt rooted in heaven.

The tree of life donor wall is a great way to give passer-bys a visual reminder of the people that opened their hearts and contributed to the prosperity of your organization. It also is also the perfect way to put a visual forth, of the amount of help your organization has received. The larger your tree, the more people you have working for your cause. So for those who haven’t donated, or are thinking about donating, this wall really puts into perspective how the pieces (or donors) no matter how small they are, they work together to form one cohesive whole.

(Prometheus Bound, Jacob Jordaens 1593-1678)

Philanthropy is a time honored tradition of giving and receiving. The word’s origins are from Prometheus Bound, thought to be written by Aeschylus in about 500 B.C.E. Prometheus’ name comes from philanthropos tropos and means a character of humanity loving . This is because the Titan gave humans optimism and fire, two gifts that allow us to distinguish ourselves from the beasts. Today, the word connotes an altruistic enhancement of a community through usually financial means. If you have experienced any philanthropy recently and your bequeathal has been prodigious, it may be time to think about donor plaques.

Donor plaques originated in the early 20th century as large American institutions needed a way to thank the providers of large sums who gave to their organizations. Today this practice has evolved into a multiplicity of ways of giving thanks. For example, donor walls have taken shape as a Tree of Life and are now more than simple methods of appreciation: they are aesthetic emoluments both for the community and the giver.

And whether you choose the more traditional bronze plaques and memorial walls, or a beautiful Tree of Life, you can be sure that such recognition will inspire the kindness and generosity of others to follow after the first.

Acts of kindness are fundamental to human nature. If they were not, humans would be satisfied living in solitude, which for most of us is not the case. Communities are founded on giving back. This notion can be seen in all walks of life. From learning to share as a child to giving back to the community the excess of one’s life savings, the same fundamental sentiment is demonstrated. But the same thanks given after playing with a friend’s toys does not do justice to a large display of generosity. For a special way of appreciation, look to donor plaques.

Or if a legacy has been built from too many names to fit on donor plaques, you may want to think about memorial walls, or even a tree of life, which is a more creative way of expressing gratitude. A tree of life fosters further acts of giving through its beautiful enshrinement of names.

So if you want to preserve the memory of an individual who has made a difference to your community, think about memorial plaques, donor plaques, or even a tree of life. You can celebrate that age old feeling of sharing by forever preserving the individual’s spirit.

Memorial walls and donor plaques can be found everywhere – I’ve even seen them in bars. You may commonly associate them with resplendent acts of generosity, which can be memorialized with a Tree of Life quite nicely, but your benefactors don’t have to give millions to feel appreciated. Judaica Engraving International has options aplenty for your desire to show your gratitude. Let’s take a look at a few:

Tree of Life: This is one of our more popular ways of commemoration. It allows you to express artistry in the rededication of your building as our selection ranges from dozens of different tree designs to a horse and even an apple design.

Donor Walls & Memorial Walls: If you’re interested in a more traditional style, we have flat panels for your wall with wood, metal and even stone.

Donor Plaques: These dedication plaques allow you to personalize a commemoration for those special people who have helped your community to grow.

Stained Glass: This beautiful way of remembering will surely last for generations to come. Whether you are interested in color or clear engraving, your donors will feel special with their memory enshrined in glass.

If these options aren’t enough, or if you want to get an even better idea of our selection,
visit www.JEII.com today!

When I see donor walls and the dozens of names enshrined on them, I think of the past beneficence and virtue that has long been intrinsic to mankind. There is new evidence that along with the most simple pleasures of eating and procreating, the same parts of the brain triggered during these acts are engaged when we participate in magnanimous acts. If you find this strange or incredible, just think about it. Giving back is something that allows for us to share in our fellow humanity; it is a prescription for community, and humans, as social animals, need fraternity.

When all of our basic needs are met, what more can we do but think about the happiness of others? Beneficence is one of the highest virtues, and a key to true happiness.
Donor plaques preserve the memories of giving, and are a way to ensure that the names of benefactors are never forgotten. Donor Walls, bronze plaques, a Tree of Life, these are all beautiful methods by which you can remind others of one of the most important human virtues. Judaica Engraving International understands the importance of giving, and wants to help you commemorate those who have aided your organization.

Groups and organizations of all kinds know just how important it is to have the support of their community, be it financial, emotional, or physical. It’s time to show recognition and gratitude to the individuals that have given their time, energy, and money to make your cause great, with donor plaques, memorial plaques, and donor walls.

Cast bronze plaques are an excellent, and relatively inexpensive way of showing your appreciation to an individual or group that has made a difference. By either presenting bronze plaques in a ceremony, or installing a Tree of Life donor wall that shows the growth of your organization and the involvement of the community, you are not only saying thank you, you are also providing an extra incentive to give.

Consider the honor of a family to have their name mounted, in the form of bronze plaques or memorial plaques, on donor walls or memorial walls around their city or town; their name will be forever remembered for their involvement and generosity with regards to the well-being of their community.

Yup, it’s true, we are capable of being very selfish as human beings, but we are also capable of the most selfless actions and of being able to live up to the high ideals we often fall short of achieving. Bronze plaques are an excellent way to remember the brave and giving actions of the individuals and groups who have given so much to be an example to us all. Cast bronze plaques are as durable as the effects of the selfless or extraordinary actions of the individuals we would be celebrating with stunning memorial plaques.

If the group being remembered is too large for a bronze plaque, then that situation would warrant the commissioning of memorial walls. Bare in mind that the style, or design of the donor walls do not only have to consist of a list of names inscribed belong one another in a row. For extra effect a tree of life design would be an amazing donor "wall" as well, symbolic of the life that has given so much and touched the lives of so many others can be selected.

So see what donor plaques, tree of life or donor wall designs are available, because these days it seems we have no end of heroes, and the names of heroes should be memorialized as best we can, lest we forget the greatness we are able to display in the midst of the challenges life throws at us.

Philanthropy has long been a necessary and widely recognized virtue. Giving time, energy and financial backing to a cause or an organization that one believes in is a way for individuals to selflessly show just how much they believe in and care about that cause. It is important to recognize the individuals that keep the spirit of giving alive, and one excellent way of doing so is by creating donor plaques or donor walls to honor their contributions. Despite the fact that philanthropists are typically self-effacing individuals that simply wish to be of help, there are also individuals that will be motivated to give to a given cause, if they know that they will be publicly recognized.

Consider the effect of a wall adorned with cast bronze plaques and the individual’s name. Other families may wish to honor the memory of a loved one by giving to a cause in their name. Memorial walls are an excellent way of recognizing an individual that has passed, whose generosity has made the construction of a building, or the continuation of an important cause, possible. One unique and attractive form of donor wall that has become popular of late is the Tree of Life.

It is literally a tree design that features bronze plaques as its individual leaves. Every time an individual or organization contributes to the given cause, their name is engraved on one of these plaques, and forever remembered by those that benefited for their generosity.

Don’t let the name fool you – you can use custom engraved donor plaques for much more than just honoring benefactors. Because, let’s face it, not every business is privy to hospital wings, libraries, and other big-time donations.

At my business, I like to order a beautiful wooden plaque to honor each employee of the month. I have it engraved with the worker’s name, his or her time at the company, and the current month and year. The finished product is presented at a company-wide ceremony where I honor the special worker and explain his or her virtues. We even order a cake!

Ever since I started this tradition, I’ve noticed a real increase in worker motivation. And whenever I’m interviewing new employees, I always show them our wall of plaques to get them excited about working here.

In a way, though, I suppose calling them “donor plaques” is appropriate. Even though I pay my employees, they always exceed my expectations. It’s almost like they’re donating, except instead of money I’m lucky enough to receive their time, energy, passion, and innovation.

As you walk into the lobby of a hospital, you see this beautiful tree with golden leaves. As you get closer to the tree, you notice that on each gold leaf there is the name of a person, with a date engraved on it. Not knowing what it is exactly that you are looking at; you find a small donor plaque on the wall that states, “On this tree of life are the names of the very generous people who sacrificed for others.” Donor walls and trees of life adorn so many lobbies and so many hallways of many different buildings throughout the world.

For so many people this is a simple decoration, a “thank you” to those who have given something. For others this is the last thank you, the last goodbye to a loved one, a family member or a friend. In blood centers throughout the United States there are donor walls with the names of people who religiously donate blood every fifty-six days or platelets every two weeks. Without these people, so many other lives would not have been saved. Throughout hospitals around the world, you will find a donor wall or a tree of life recognizing someone for giving a piece of themselves to save the life of another and in most cases without ever meeting that person.

Donor walls and donor plaques are a special way of thanking people and recognizing people for doing something outstanding. The recognition and thanks is of the highest magnitude and will be displayed for years and for generations to see and appreciate.

My experience with the community relations office of our local domestic violence shelter taught me a few things about large-scale fundraising. When it comes to going after the really big donations, showing appreciation takes on a whole new meaning. Extreme donors are motivated by seeing their names prominently placed on a donor wall, a permanent donor plaque, or a leaf on a Tree of Life. Their generous friends are equally motivated by seeing their peer get the honors treatment. This is how an organization’s donor recognition program can become a great incentive for more donors.

In addition to public recognition, we planned yearly donor parties to thank those who provided the financial underpinning to our cause. We made sure everything connected with the party was first class. The invitations referred to the donors as “V.I.P.s” and we even acquired the services of a few regional celebrities to help honor those on whom our little shelter so depended. We invited each donor to invite a friend – our subtle way to work that peer angle. By the time the evening was over, we often doubled our donor base.

Big givers also like to have their photos taken for the newspaper, along with stories about their generosity. So we always invited members of the press to our parties and any ceremonies held through the year involving our donor walls and donor plaques or the Tree of Life in the children’s playroom. These actions kept the donations flowing and our clients well served.