Federation to kick off Campaign 2020
Federation Super Sunday Brunch to be held on Oct. 27
The Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton will hold its annual Super Sunday Campaign kick-off brunch on Sunday, October 27, at 10 am, at the Jewish Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. The cost to attend will be $10. Reservations should be made by Friday, October 18. Reserve a seat by calling the Federation at 724-2332 or by e-mailing director@jfgb.org.
The theme for the 2020 Campaign is “A New Beginning, A Legacy of Caring.” “Campaign Chair Marilyn Bell, Rita Shawn and I chose a theme that would recognize the Federation is under new leadership, while at the same time pay tribute to the generosity of the Binghamton Jewish community over many years,” said new Jewish Federation Executive Director Shelley Hubal. “Binghamton is a small community and each individual donor makes a difference to ensure that we can continue to be a vibrant, welcoming place to live.”
People are encouraged to make their 2020 pledge at the brunch. If community members would like to make their pledge ahead of the kick-off event, they can call the Federation office at 724-2332. Making pledges and donations in advance of the allocation process in mid-November will help the Federation know what funds are available to be distributed and will save time for the volunteers that make Campaign calls.
This year’s brunch will include a buffet, an awards ceremony and entertainment from the Tri-Cities Opera. The Federation will honor retiring Jewish Federation Executive Director Sima Auerbach with a Yasher Koach award. New this year will be the Spirit of Community Awards; this year’s recipients are Charles Manasse, Rita Bleier and Dr. Dora Polachek.
“This year’s honorees have each contributed in a unique way,” said Hubal. “We want to make this event lively. The opera singers will be singing favorite show tunes. Please be sure to make a reservation to join us.”
Federation Phonathon to begin on Oct. 27
This year’s annual Campaign Phonathon will start on Sunday, October 27, and will run through Wednesday, October 30. The money raised during the Campaign will then be allocated to local organizations. “The Federation does many things behind the scenes to help all of our local Jewish organizations to be their best,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Jewish Federation. “When you support the Federation, you support the entire Jewish community. With your generous donations, we ensure there are quality, engaging Jewish programs for community member of all ages, support for our neighbors in need and an enduring local Jewish infrastructure.”
In addition to local support, a small percentage of Campaign funds help the Jewish Federation of North America with global projects. “As the new Federation director, I was surprised to learn that our allocation to JFNA goes to specific programs across the globe. By combining with other small Jewish communities, we are helping to provide food and medication to elderly Jews in the country of Georgia, and to educate and assimilate Ethiopian immigrants in Israel. This is truly the spirit of tikkun olam and we should be very proud of all we do,” noted Hubal.
“Please answer the call this year during the Federation Phonathon and be part of something bigger than yourself,” said Hubal. Anyone who would like to pledge early or be a Campaign volunteer should call the Federation office at 724-2332.