Jewish Community Partners

Abbey S. Cowens, EVP, Advancement, Jewish Community Partners

Super Sunday is back – and this year, it’s a pep rally!

The Memphis Jewish Federation is preparing for its largest single-day fundraising event, Super Sunday, a vibrant “pep rally” scheduled for Sunday, September 14.

Since 1980, local Jewish Federation chapters across North America – including Memphis – have held Super Sunday phone-a-thons to kickstart Annual Campaigns. Super Sunday is a day when the entire Memphis Jewish community comes together to raise critical funds that support Jewish life locally and abroad. The money raised through the Annual Campaign is vital to ensuring the security of the community, confronting antisemitism, providing Jewish education for all ages, strengthening connections to Israel, and caring for those in need, including Holocaust survivors and the hungry.

Federation’s Annual Campaign chair Lisa Menuskin emphasizes the importance of every single gift. “Giving to the Annual Campaign is about investing in our community’s future,” Menuskin says. “It’s about making sure that the vital programs and services we rely on — from security to education to caring for our most vulnerable — are not just sustained, but can thrive. Super Sunday is the day we all come together to make that a reality.”

The funds raised support a diverse range of impactful initiatives. They help secure Jewish institutions, ensuring a safe environment for everyone. They support Jewish education, from preschool scholarships, day schools and religious schools to campus programs like Hillel. The campaign also financially assists families with scholarships to Jewish summer camps and on life-changing trips to Israel through programs like Birthright, fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection.

Jimmy Ringel, Chair of the Memphis Jewish Federation, points out the broader impact of the campaign, noting that its reach extends far beyond Memphis. “When you give to the Annual Campaign, you’re helping Holocaust survivors receive the care they need, you’re providing food for the hungry in Israel, and you’re helping Jews in crisis all over the world,” he explains. “While the Federation’s Annual Campaign funds many local service initiatives here in Memphis, Super Sunday is also our opportunity to show the global Jewish community that Memphis is here to help.”

This year’s event is preceded by a week-long celebration of community spirit, dubbed “Spirit Week,” where individuals are encouraged to share their favorite Jewish memories online, highlighting the crucial impact of the Federation’s Annual Campaign. Each day focuses on a different theme, with community members sharing stories and photos online using the hashtag #SuperSundaySpirit. The themes include:

• Monday – Security Spirit Day: Sharing moments of feeling safe and supported within the Memphis Jewish community.
• Tuesday – Jewish Education Spirit Day: Celebrating favorite memories from Jewish day school, religious school, or Hillel.
• Wednesday – Jewish Camp Spirit Day: Reminiscing about favorite moments from Jewish summer camp.
• Thursday – PJ Library Spirit Day: Sharing stories of how PJ Library has brought Jewish learning and joy into homes.
• Friday – Israel Trips/Birthright Spirit Day: Highlighting meaningful memories from trips to Israel.

Super Sunday promises plenty of cheer, games, and good times as the community rallies to reach its fundraising goals. All are invited to join on Sunday, September 14, 10 am at the Memphis Jewish Community Center to be a part of this vital effort and help build a vibrant Jewish future for generations to come. Your presence and your generosity will truly make a difference, as it has for decades.