Super Sunday considered a super success

Sept. 18 not only marked the first Patriots home game, but also an exciting and successful Super Sunday where the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island kicked-off its 2017 Annual Campaign, raising a stellar $130,000 through the effort of more than 80 community volunteers, representing 13 local agencies, synagogues and organizations.  In what has become an annual tradition, the following Monday evening students from the New England Rabbinical College participated in the fundraising effort. Altogether volunteers received contributions from more than 300 donors.

Super Sunday was chaired by Marc and Susan Gertsacov who helped to ensure it was a philanthropic day for community members of all ages. A group of teens involved in tikkun olam at Temple Torat Yisrael in East Greenwich, where the Gertsacovs are involved members, joined in learning about the work of the Jewish Alliance and writing thank you notes to donors. The Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island helped with some of the youngest volunteers of the day, and also won the agency challenge.  The agency challenge awards $500 for professional development to the local organization that has the most volunteers on Super Sunday.

Essential programs in the community and around the world rely on the Jewish Alliance’s annual campaign dollars to continue the important work.  The most vulnerable Jews are helped through Kosher meals-on-wheels, the Kosher food pantry and counseling services. Jewish identity is fostered through programs such as PJ Library, J-Camp, J-Space, and scholarships for overnight Jewish camp and day schools. In addition, the Jewish Alliance supports programs in Israel, the former Soviet Union and other Jewish communities around the world.

Editor’s Note: For more information about the 2017 Annual Campaign, the Jewish Alliance, or to make a gift by phone, contact Michele Gallagher at mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 165. Make a gift online at jewishallianceri.org.

STEPHANIE HAGUE is the philanthropy officer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.