Super Sunday: Beyond super this year

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The Jewish Alliance kicked off its 2019 Annual Campaign with another successful Super Sunday on Sept. 16. This year’s theme was “Be an Everyday Hero.” With the help of enthusiastic volunteers and the donors who answered calls, the Alliance raised more than $80,000  as of press time to benefit the Jewish community in Rhode Island and around the world.

More than 70 volunteers participated in the fundraiser, which was held at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center in Providence. Representatives from a dozen synagogues and agencies joined together in support of the Alliance’s essential work. The volunteers received donations from 200 donors.

Aliza and Will Krieger chaired this year’s Super Sunday. Their children both attend Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island  and J-Camp at the Dwares JCC. They are members of Congregation Beth Sholom, and Will is on the board of directors of the University of Rhode Island Hillel.

Will said, “Thanks to everyone for their energy and their hard work making this Super Sunday really super!”

Aliza added, “What a great day. It was heartwarming to have Jews come out from all over Rhode Island to connect and raise money together. Thank you!”

Carol and David Bazarsky helped make Super Sunday a success by offering a match of up to $10,000 for new and increased gifts pledged during the day.

While the community is the big winner during Super Sunday, volunteers participated in various competitions in their effort to encourage donors to answer the call. Super Sunday volunteers representing the many Jewish agencies in Rhode Island competed to win a prize for board development, education or training.

This year, JCDSRI won the competition, with Congregation Beth Sholom coming in second place.

The other winners were Elly Leyman, Susan Adler and Cara Mitnick for making the most calls, leaving the most voicemails and closing the most gifts, respectively. They each won a challah board handmade by Aaron Guttin.

Children of volunteers also came out for the event. They had the opportunity to decorate and write thank you cards for donors. They also created decorations for the Jewish Alliance’s sukkah.

Dollars raised for the Annual Campaign help fund a variety programs and services that are dedicated to enriching Jewish life in Rhode Island and abroad These programs ensure that no one in need goes without – from battered overseas communities lacking food supplies and medicine to impoverished families in need of access, opportunity and employment locally; from young married couples wanting a Jewish life for their families to teens traveling the world to strengthen their Jewish identity.

For more information about the 2019 Annual Campaign or the Jewish Alliance, or to make a gift, contact Michele Gallagher at mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 165. You can also make your gift online at jewishallianceri.org.

Seth Finkle is development manager at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

Alliance, Annual campaign, Super Sunday