E. Bay pledges go over $400,000

Super Sunday at the Jewish Community Federation of the East Bay was like an all-day party, says federation campaign director Lisa Tabak.

By the stroke of 10 p.m., when the last volunteers shared a congratulatory pizza, the campaign had taken in $405,886, with appeals made to more than 500 donors.

"The callers did more like community outreach," said Tabak, "engaging donors in open-ended questions, like 'Why is it important for you to give to federation?'"

Volunteers came from all corners of the federation's territory, from Lafayette to Alameda. Among them, Karen Bloom, wife of Temple Beth Abraham Rabbi Mark Bloom, took to the phones, as did AIPAC president Amy Friedkin, event co-chairs Roger Becker and Helen Lowenstein, and campaign chair Betsy Pottruck.

"There was a fabulous vibe all day," said Tabak. "Everyone felt that Super Sunday is part and parcel of what it means to work for the Jewish community."

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