United Jewish Fund Campaign's Super Sunday is Jan. 27

Osterreiche

The Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo will hold its 28th consecutive Super Sunday phonathon for its United Jewish Fund Campaign from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. The goal for the day is $150,000. The goal for the 2008 campaign, which runs from September to June, is $2.8 million.

This year's chairman is attorney and photojournalist, Mickey Osterreicher, a Williamsville resident. Last year he served as vice chairman.

"We've been lucky enough to reach the goal every year," he said.

For each of the 27 years, hundreds of volunteer members of the community have pooled their efforts, making phone calls for contributions, keeping track of the pledges and greeting fellow volunteers and celebrities, as well as pitching in when needed.

A number of anonymous donors have contributed to a challenge grant. All increases of 10 percent or more and new gifts will be matched up to $50,000.

Ellen Weiss, a Williamsville resident and a longtime community volunteer and co-chair of the federation's Young Women's Division, is this year's vice chair.

"This is a day when we ask the members of our community to take five minutes from their Sunday and answer the call to help those in need," said Osterreicher said.

More volunteers are still needed; call the Federation at 886-7750.

The annual United Jewish Fund Campaign supports the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, the Bureau of Jewish Education, The Weinberg Campus, the Holocaust Resource Center, Yad b'Yad, Kadimah School, Hillel, Chabad House and the Jewish Heritage School, as well as other groups in Buffalo. It also supports social service, educational, medical and health programs in Israel and also needy Jews and others in 59 countries around the world.

This year, donations can be made at www.jfedbflo.com. Click on "give" on the front page, indicate your gift is an annual UJF gift in the pull down for "gift type" and indicate SUPER SUNDAY in "gift message."