Creative Caring

Super Sunday kicks off Federation's
Campaign for now and the future.

SHARON LUCKERMAN
StafTWriter

D

ebbie Balkin of West
Bloomfield, a Hillel Day
School mom, sitting next to
her friend Beth Margolin of Orchard
Lake and about 150 other volunteers,
are making calls for the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's
Super Sunday, Dec. 5 — the first of a
three-day kickoff of its 2005 Annual
Campaign.
There's a peaceful hum within the
frenzy of the phon-athon at the Max
M. Fisher Federation Building in
Bloomfield Township and the Jewish
Community Center in Oak Park. A
long table filled with donuts, choco-
late and coffee is replenished around
noontime with pizza, salad and other
treats.
This year, Federation's goal is to
raise $31 million to allocate to its 18
agencies and to Jewish concerns over-
seas and in Israel. But adding the $4
illion Jean and Samuel Frankel Family
Challenge Grant, which will match
dollar for dollar every pledge increase
or new gift to the campaign, this year's
goal is now $35 million, says Lisa
Cutler, campaign and community
development assistant director.
"When calling, I stress that I'm a
volunteer from the community," says
Margolin, whose 15-year-old daugh-
ter also made calls and was excited to
raise more than $200 in increased
pledges from seniors. "I feel good
fund-raising, but it's hard not to take
it personally when people turn
you down."
Balkin has an easier time calling
other Hillel parents. "I feel very com-
mitted, and I'm better at explaining
the connection between the Federation
and Hillel," she says.
The Jewish Academy of
Metropolitan Detroit is also funded in
part by Federation campaign dollars,
as are agencies like Jewish Family
Service, Jewish Apartments and
Services and the JCC — and programs
in Israel, the former Soviet Union and
Argentina.
"You give through, not to the
Federation — and it goes right back to

12/10
2004

16

the community," says Karen Alpiner of
Franklin, former Super Sunday co-
chair and its current adviser. "People
should feel good about whatever
amount they're giving."
Frustrated when some people she
called said they didn't think their little
contribution would matter, Alpiner
started the Chai Campaign this year.
"We ask people who've never given to
consider an $18 contribution for the
day-school fund," she says.
And every dollar is appreciated.
Although the Campaign and what it
raises is fairly stable, says Marion
Freedman, Women's Campaign and
Education Department director,
agencies have been cut because it's
financially very challenging times.
United Way has cut what they give
some agencies, and more people are
asking for help."

"

Teens Inspired

The value of the Campaign on educa-
tion is not lost on students this Super
Sunday. A table of teens greet volun-

and Eden Gilan, 4, of West Bloomfield

Carly Schi o irmingham, Tasha
Aronson and Katie Blender of
Franklin, Amanda Zwiren of
Bloomfield Hills and Becca K
of West Bloomfield, all 17