More than 800 volunteers recently made calls for UJA-Federation of New York’s Super Sunday phone-a-thon to raise money for people in need.
Super Sunday is an annual event that raises money to help support UJA-Federation’s more than 100 beneficiary agencies. Volunteers help raise money for the needy, the sick, and the most vulnerable in New York, in Israel, and around the world.
With calling centers in Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island, UJA-Federation volunteers, many from the beneficiary agencies, called people who have given in the past, thanked them for their support, and asked them to once again donate money to benefit the organization’s global network of agencies and programs. These programs help feed elderly Jews from Brooklyn to Kiev; they support the health and vitality of the people of Israel, and make it possible for vast numbers of young Jews to attend Jewish summer camps, participate in Taglit-Birthright Israel, and much more.
Super Sunday not only raises money, it also serves as a way to bring together different communities from the New York area. From lay leadership, to agency staff and volunteers, to the strong Russian presence, this event emphasizes the importance of community involvement and dedication.
“Everyone in the Jewish community in New York, in Israel, and overseas benefits from UJA-Federation’s guidance and financial assistance, regardless of their background,” said Leonard Petlakh, a Super Sunday chair and executive director of the Kings Bay YM-YWHA. “Secular or Hasidic, Russian or Iranian-born, Ashkenazi or Sephardic—UJA-Federation truly believes in the concept of kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh (all Jews being responsible for one another).”
“Super Sunday is all about packing a powerful dose of energy behind an already formidable fundraising organization that raises philanthropic dollars at a level never matched in history,” said Paul Levine, a Super Sunday chair and the executive vice president and CEO of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. “These donations help hundreds of thousands of people with problems and critical needs. And there is the added benefit of bringing the buzz of working for a great mission all into one room, and reaching out to strangers who you know care about the same things we do: helping. No one does it better than UJA-Federation, so it’s a real honor for me to chair this event.”
It was a very special day when each participant had a chance to help make a difference.
