Each year, the Jewish Federation’s Super Sunday brings together hundreds of community members to connect and raise critical dollars to support the community’s most pressing needs. Sadly, due to COVID-19, gathering in person isn’t possible this year, but there still will be exciting programming planned to bring the community together.
Danielle Weiss and Mitch Sterling are co-chairs of this year’s Super Sunday events. Both are young leaders in the Jewish community and active within the local Jewish Federation, as well as through The Jewish Federation of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. They have long been connected to the Jewish Federation and understand the importance of Super Sunday in putting communal dollars to work.
“Super Sunday is a day when the Philadelphia Jewish community is truly at its best,” said Sterling, who has participated in Super Sunday since he was a child. “It’s a day when Jews of multiple generations, geographies, denominations and backgrounds are reminded of their common goal of contributing individually and collectively to a strong Jewish future here and abroad. This year, it’s an opportunity to answer the call in a new way — and at a time when our work is more necessary and important than ever.”
Super Sunday is also a way to care for the most vulnerable Jewish populations both locally and around the world.
“I feel a personal responsibility to make sure that the institutions that imbued me with a strong Jewish identity will endure for the next generation. I truly believe that we are stronger as a community when we support one another,” Weiss reflected. “I know the investment I make each year in the vitality of the Jewish community is properly placed by the Jewish Federation, whose knowledgeable and talented professionals work tirelessly to leverage every dollar to do the most good for the most number of people.”
Even though it required reimagining, Weiss and Sterling are proud that the Jewish Federation understands the underlying importance of Super Sunday by creating meaningful opportunities for the community to come together.
“Our institutions are in critical need of our support, but more than that, we are craving connection and togetherness,” said Weiss. “This Super Sunday will be not just a day, but a weekend of events that will allow us to safely be together in new ways, while delivering on our commitment to raise dollars to ensure that the most vulnerable among us will continue to thrive.”
On Saturday, March 6, the Jewish Federation is hosting a virtual Havdalah service for the entire community. The service will be led by Joey Weisenberg, founder and director of Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, an organization that provides a meeting place and incubator to cultivate Jewish spiritual life through song. Following the service, attendees will have the opportunity to continue to catch up with friends by joining Schmooze & Share rooms.
Those interested can sign up for the Havdalah at jewishphilly.org/signup and visit jewishphilly.org/supersunday to see the list of more than 35 schmooze room hosts.
On Sunday, March 7, volunteers can do a mitzvah by donating food and essential items at one of the five Mitzvah Food Pantries across the community or Shir Ami Congregation in Newtown. The Jewish Federation is accepting curbside drop offs, providing a safe and simple way to give back. With 28% of Philadelphia residents having trouble paying for food, these donations can help ease their burden. Visit jewishphilly.org/fooddrive for more details.
Instead of making calls, community members may still receive a call from a professional service hired to connect on this critical day. To make a gift, please visit jewishphilly.org/give, call 215-832-0899 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, or respond to a text message.
As the Jewish Federation continues to support the increased needs of our community in the wake of COVID-19, now, more than ever, raising funds for our collective sustainability is vital. Thank you for helping ensure a vibrant Jewish future for our community.
