Super Sunday is December 12

As the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County gears up for Super Sunday — taking place Dec. 12, with calls going out from the JCC of Greater Monmouth County in Deal — the leaders of the annual mega-fund-raising event are certain this year’s event will be a community celebration of giving and support. According to Evan Levitt, the federation’s financial resource and development director, nearly 150 volunteers have already signed up to make calls and run other activities, and more are expected before Sunday and to walk in the door of the JCC to lend a hand on the day of the event. Additionally, he said, “Members of our Jewish community have already pledged over $30,000 in advance of Super Sunday.”

This year’s goal for Super Sunday remains the same as last year — $355,000, about 20 percent of the entire year’s campaign. Levitt expects about 200 people to come to the JCC to volunteer.

This year’s focus is on involvements of the federation’s beneficiary agencies. Linda Choate, the assistant director/finance who also oversees agency allocations, said, “It is important for all agency directors and leadership to support the Jewish federation on Super Sunday. The dollars raised on Super Sunday ultimately flow to support their agencies.”

According to Levitt, every year members of the Jewish community who are active with the agencies come to Super Sunday to show their support for the federation, learning how the work they do has a direct impact on the services the agencies deliver to the community. And it’s not just adults who pitch in; youngsters and teens help out too. As part of a special arrangement with area youth groups, they will be able to keep 50 percent of any increases or new donations that come in through their efforts. As a result of this arrangement, after last year’s Super Sunday, the federation funded a $500 program for the youth group at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan. This year, among other youth, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization of Monmouth County is sending 20 teens.

Get New Jersey Jewish News's Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

A winter clothing and food drive will be run by Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Monmouth County, and, for the first time, a bone marrow drive for the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation will be held.

Super Sunday will also be the occasion to launch, at 3 p.m., the federation’s first Taglit-Birthright Israel trip. The participants will meet for the first time as a group on Super Sunday and will leave for Israel on Jan. 2.

Super Sunday volunteers are still needed, particularly for the 5 p.m. shift. To sign up, call 732-866-4300.