The Allied Jewish Appeal helps finance local agencies of the Jewish Federation of South Jersey, sponsor of this week's events, as well as Jewish organizations in other countries.
Simone Holtzman, Super Sunday coordinator for the Jewish Federation, said half the money raised for AJA stays in the Camden, Burlington, Gloucester County region, while the rest goes to social-welfare and educational programs in Israel and 33 other countries.
The money pledged this week constitutes about 10 percent of all the money to be raised this year for AJA in South Jersey.
Holtzman said many of the 11,000 people contacted during the course of the week were not active members in the region's Jewish organizations. Holtzman said the people contacted during the telethon are "people who mostly have no involvement in the Jewish community. By reaching out to them personally, they have an opportunity to hear about what is going on."
The volunteers, by contrast, represent virtually all the local synagogues and Jewish organizations, and range from elementary-school pupils to retirees.
Retirees Robert and Minerva Snyder, both active members of Beth Israel in Woodbury, have participated in the Phone-A-Thon for seven years. Said Minerva Snyder: "I'm Jewish. Any Jewish person must do this. It helps keep Judaism alive."
Added her husband: "Sometimes we reach people who cannot afford to give and who themselves need aid. When that happens, we tell them where to go for help. We have to take care of our own."
Deborah Kaufman, 15, a sophomore at Moorestown High School and a congregation member at Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, echoed the Snyders' sentiments. Kaufman said she had worked at the last four Super Sundays because the fund-raiser "helps the Jewish community in this area and abroad."
"I get a great feeling from doing this and helping others," she added.
Other Super Sunday veterans who returned this year included Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Bass Levin, Congressmen James Saxton and James Florio, and Barry Reisman, who broadcast his Sunday morning radio show on Jewish/Israeli issues, heard on 103.9 WIBF-FM, from the center in Cherry Hill.
Local agencies that will benefit from this week's event include: the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Federation.
Much of the money given to Israel goes to programs for recent immigrants, for youth and for rural development. In addition, Jewish communities in Latin America and Eastern Europe also will benefit.
