A leader asked me a very practical question.
When I call donors to wish them a Gut Yom Tov, what am I really trying to do? Should I keep it short and sweet? Should I ask about their children or grandchildren?
Should I talk about the mosad? If I see he has more time, should I take the opportunity to connect a little more?
It’s a good question. When you have a list of donors to call, it’s easy to start thinking about what each call is supposed to look like before you even pick up the phone.
I think the answer is simpler. Your main objective is to wish him a Gut Yom Tov.
So, wish him a Gut Yom Tov.
Then see where the conversation goes. After that, feel out whether he has time for a longer schmooze.
For example, if the donor has children or grandchildren in your mosad, you may have something very natural to talk about. You could simply ask:
“Do you have a minute to hear a sweet story about your grandson?”
After hearing the nachas report, he may want to continue schmoozing and ask how things are going at the mosad.
If he says, “I have a few minutes now to hear how things are going,” great. You have room to schmooze. Of course, that doesn’t mean spending the next ten minutes talking only about the mosad.
If he tells you, “I have a meeting in two minutes,” keep it short and sweet, round it off with some warm good wishes, and say goodbye.
One word of caution: we usually have a whole list of donors we want to call before Yom Tov. Just make sure that while you’re speaking to this donor, he doesn’t feel the pressure you may be feeling to finish the call and get to the next name.
The call doesn’t need to become anything more than the donor has room for.
© 2026 Avraham Lewis & Co.