Feb 15, 2013

Community Answers the Call on Super Sunday

General Campaign Chair Robert Berrin and the Bister-Simancas family — Mytyl, Yael, Danny, Ari and Sergio — lead Super Sunday volunteers in celebrating Israel's 65th birthday and Federation's 75th birthday.

Super Sunday, the Miami Jewish community’s largest annual fundraising phonathon, was energized this year by a significant increase in the amount of money pledged to the 2013 Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign. Five hundred volunteers reached out by telephone to collect 1,240 pledges to the Campaign worth a total of nearly $613,000.

According to Robert Berrin, Federation’s General Campaign Chairman, the day was a complete success.

“It started early in the morning with a swell of volunteers arriving and calling other members of our community for pledges,” Berrin said. “As the day progressed, it was evident that there was a significant rise in the number of new gifts pledged to the Campaign, as well as an increase in the number of recovered gifts from people who gave in the past but abstained during the past few recessionary years.”

As shifts of volunteers reached out to members of the community throughout the day, the atmosphere at Federation’s Stanley C. Myers Building was celebratory in recognition of the organization’s 75th anniversary and the State of Israel’s 65th birthday. There was a spirit of joy in the children’s area, where colorful exhibitions, story readings and sing-alongs entertained and enlightened youngsters. Slices of birthday cake were passed to one and all, as callers kept up a steady stream of telephone solicitations to support Federation’s network of social service agencies at home and abroad.

“We are very encouraged by this year’s response to Super Sunday and are hopeful that the enthusiasm that we witnessed today will empower us to assist more of our brothers and sisters in need,” said Brian L. Bilzin, Chair of the Board of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. “Our goal was to increase the number of participants in our campaign, regardless of the amount each pledged, because community involvement and responsibility are so critical. Looking at the end-of-day numbers, it is clear that our goal has been achieved.”

The Bister-Simancas family – Mytyl, Sergio, Ari, Danny and Yael – chaired Super Sunday 2013, reflecting a decades-long tradition of family involvement in the event. They contributed a special spirit of enthusiasm to the event that was contagious throughout the day.

“All of the members of my family came with friends who support them and support our community,” said Mytyl Simancas Bister. “That is the message of Super Sunday – that we are all responsible for one another and must respond when we hear the call to help others.”

If you were unable to make a gift on Super Sunday and would like to do so, please click here.