A Super-ior Fundraising Day

Another day, another dollar.
This week it was another Super Sunday, another million dollars.
UJA-Federation held its annual Super Sunday phone-a-thon on Sunday, more than 1,000 volunteers making calls from the philanthropy’s headquarters in Manhattan, Long Island and Westchester. Together, they raised more than $1 million.
This year’s theme was Israel’s 60th anniversary.
“I know what UJA-Federation means to the people of Israel, and I really appreciate all your help and all that you’re doing,” said Israel Consul General Asaf Shariv.
Many of the volunteers came from New York’s Soviet émigré community, including Paulina Staroseletsky and her 4-year-old son Philip, who worked the phones in Manhattan. A resident of Brighton Beach, Paulina is from Ukraine. “I think it’s important to help Jewish people who are in need, and to help people in Israel,” she said.
“Philip has seen movies about Israel — we are teaching him about the homeland of the Jewish people,” she said. “He is small but he should learn about this now.”
Rachel Pollack, above left, a Hunter College student, is congratulated by friends Elana Bakst, center, and Stephanie Wasserman, for receiving a $100 phone pledge.
“Ever since I went on birthright israel last winter,” Rachel said, “I realized the importance of being active and participating in Jewish organizations. There is so much one can do to help out. I wish more people would be active and volunteer.”