09/14/2016
Super Sunday Strengthens Community
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Volunteers make calls at last year's Super Sunday.
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News.
By Ed Wittenberg
Rochie and Jordan Berkowitz see the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Super Sunday event as an opportunity to strengthen the Greater Cleveland Jewish community as a whole.
“It’s a wonderful experience of unity,” Rochie Berkowitz said. “You have Jews from every aspect of the Cleveland community, different schools and synagogues and different levels of affiliation, coming together.”
The Berkowitzes, of University Heights, are in their second year as co-chairs of Super Sunday, set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Federation’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building in Beachwood. Hundreds of volunteers will make calls to raise funds in support of the 2017 Campaign for Jewish Needs.
Other co-chairs are Kerry and Daryl Kertesz of University Heights and Sarah and Scott Zimmerman of Shaker Heights.
“It’s a great community event,” Jordan Berkowitz said. “There’s a tremendous amount of people filtering through the Federation building, coming together in support of the Campaign for Jewish Needs.”
The campaign helps the Jewish and general communities in Greater Cleveland, Israel and 70 countries around the world. Ninety-one cents of each dollar donated goes directly to the community for programs and services.
The Berkowitzes, who are members of Heights Jewish Center Synagogue in University Heights, said they became involved as co-chairs of Super Sunday because the Federation gives so much to their family and the community.
“This is our opportunity to give back, to show our appreciation and support,” Rochie Berkowitz said.
The co-chairs expect 800 to 1,000 volunteers to make calls that day.
“And there are opportunities to help in other ways besides making phone calls,” Jordan Berkowitz said. “They also provide child care and there are activities for kids, so it’s an event for the whole family.”
New this year are hands-on community service projects from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. and performances by Jewish Family Service Association’s Horvitz YouthAbility program, the Mandel Jewish Community Center’s Playmakers Youth Theatre and the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland’s youth choir.
In addition, Super Sunday is earlier this year than in recent years because the High Holy Days occur later than usual.
Last year, volunteers raised $1,065,621 in support of the Campaign for Jewish Needs, marking the fourth straight year the $1 million mark has been surpassed on Super Sunday.
“We’re hoping to exceed that total,” Jordan Berkowitz said.
Volunteers are still needed and may choose from five shifts throughout the day.
Child care for infants and pre-kindergarten children is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children’s activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kosher meals and snacks will be provided.
Super Sunday sponsors are KeyBank, Benesch and the Cleveland Jewish News.
More Information
- Super Sunday, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s annual fundraiser for the Campaign for Jewish Needs
- WHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25
- WHERE: The Federation’s Mandel Building, 25701 Science Park Drive, Beachwood
- COST: Free and open to the community
- INFO: To volunteer, visit jewishcleveland.org, email supersunday@jcfcleve.org or call 216-593-2909.
