Federation gears for 1st merged Super Sunday

The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey will hold its first Super Sunday fund-raiser as a merged entity. 

 The annual phonathon will take place Nov. 15 at the federation’s South River offices. Volunteers from day schools, synagogues, and other organizations and agencies will be calling donors to secure their pledges to the federation’s annual campaign.

“We expect people of all ages, from teens to seniors, board members, and constituent agencies to turn out, and we hope community members will answer the call,” said Cheryl Markbreiter of Ocean Township, chair of Super Sunday.

The former Jewish federations of Greater Middlesex County and Monmouth County merged their campaigns and resources on Jan 1. 

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Chief development officer Elena Herskowitz said this year’s campaign goal is $3.6 million, about doubling the previous individual campaigns of the former federations. The money supports projects in Israel as well as an array of local social services, Jewish education, and senior programs.

“We have to raise another $1 million between now and the end of the year,” Herskowitz said. “Super Sunday will be a major part of achieving that goal, as it is our largest community-wide fund-raising event of the year.”

In 2013 — the last full year each had an individual campaign — Monmouth raised $1.8 million while Middlesex raised $2.1 million. While Middlesex always held an annual Super Sunday, Monmouth in recent years had switched to community call days sprinkled throughout the year.

Herskowitz said the federation still needs volunteers to make calls to established and potential donors. “The Jewish federation helps change lives and strengthens the entire community at home, in Israel, and wherever Jews are in need around the globe,” she said.

Markbreiter chaired a Monmouth Super Sunday about 10 years ago and serves as secretary of the federation’s executive committee. She said she hoped “people are feeling generous and feeling a connection to our brethren. There are a lot of people who need our help, but we can’t do it without donations.” 

Former Monmouth federation president Sheryl Grutman of Manalapan now serves as campaign chair with Jeff Schwartz of Monmouth Junction. “What we’re hoping to do is recharge the campaign to use our combined energies as a merged community to do more for others in our community and globally,” she said.