2010 Super Sunday Makes a Hit  

Hundreds of volunteers warmed up a cold winter’s day in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester January 31st, making Super Sunday calls that raised nearly $1 million for UJA-Federation of New York, an increase of more than 10 percent from last year’s event.

Volunteers make calls for Super Sunday in the Manhattan office of UJA-Federation of New York.

Hailing the phone-a-thon as “a yearly New York Jewish tradition,” UJA-Federation President John M. Shapiro thanked the event’s more than 900 volunteers for making it “such a great success.” Callers, ranging from teenagers to people in their 80s, with many coming from UJA-Federation’s beneficiary agencies and programs, spent hours on the phone asking for donations.

A Super Sunday agency chair, Richard Altman, executive director of the Jewish Child Care Association of New York , said, “Super Sunday exemplifies UJA-Federation’s successful efforts at addressing the needs of and caring for the Jewish community in New York, in Israel, and around the globe through our network of agencies.” Another agency chair, Ellie Aronowitz, executive director at the Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester, said the event “demonstrates community building and philanthropic commitment that sets an example for younger generations of Jews.”

"More Urgent"

Maddie Berg of Harrison and Maddy Berkman of Briarcliff sort food for the Westchester UJA-Federation food drive.

Many volunteers in New York City were from the Russian community. “The state of the economy makes the services UJA-Federation helps to provide that much more urgent,” said Polina Targonskaya, a chair of that effort along with Ilona Lantsman, her daughter, and granddaughter Jacqueline Lantsman. “Super Sunday offers the Russian community a way to give back,” said Ilona Lantsman. “We have survived through the years because of our communal determination and dedication to help one another.”

In Westchester, phone calls were supplemented by a food drive that involved more than 120 teenagers sorting and packing food donations to be distributed through UJA-Federation’s beneficiary agencies, including the Bronx Jewish Community Council.

Dan Burton, a Super Sunday chair in Westchester, said, “It’s a wonderful feeling when our entire community comes together to help people in need.”

Super Sunday volunteers working on call reports in the Manhattan office of UJA-Federation of New York.

New Rochelle resident Ellen Gelboim, who has been participating in Super Sunday for more than 30 years, said, “I feel like making calls is my duty to the Jewish community. It’s our obligation to remind others.”

On Long Island, more than 100 volunteers made calls and were visited by Jon Cooper, majority leader of the Suffolk County Legislature. Dr. Barry Bass, one of the chairs, said, “This year, I’m especially happy to lead Long Island on Super Sunday so that we can make sure the agencies’ food pantries continue to be filled and services continue to be available for those having a hard time right now.” The other chair, Donald Tanenbaum, added, “This is obviously an exceptionally tough year for so many people. I’m happy to do what I can to support UJA-Federation, whose programs and network agencies are helping so many in need.”

Facebook, Twitter Used

Jessica Corbin of Larchmont and Molly Cohen of Mamaroneck participate in Westchester's food collection for UJA-Federation.

In a new Super Sunday twist, computers were set up in Manhattan where many volunteers, particularly younger ones, could update their Facebook status and use Twitter, publicizing the event and circulating the current campaign video.

Also in the Manhattan office, callers crowded the more than 180 seats and at times overflowed the room festooned with red and white balloons. Large screens displayed facts about the impact of UJA-Federation, as well as photos of those helped.

Volunteers said they were clear about why they participated in making Super Sunday calls. Lilianna Zulunova, 26, a member of the Bukharian community in Queens and a JCCA program there, said, “This is a great way to give back. We appreciate all the help and support UJA-Federation gives the community. It does a great job.”

Zelda Fassler, president of the tenants association at Kittay House, a senior living facility that is part of Jewish Home Lifecare, a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation, said, “I wanted to volunteer because of all the wonderful things UJA-Federation does. I feel almost obligated to be here.”