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In tough economic times, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County sums up the sense of urgency surrounding its upcoming Super Sunday phone-a-thon fundraiser with the slogan "What happens next is up to you."

Super Sunday is the most critical day of the year for the annual fundraising campaigns of Jewish federations in Central Jersey and around the country. The Middlesex federation's motto conveys that during the ongoing recession, the community must focus on helping an inordinate amount of individuals in need, but also on supporting programs that create a vibrant cultural and social Jewish life moving forward.

"That's the truth of the matter," said Susan Antman, who oversees financial resource development as associate executive director of the Middlesex federation. "What happens next [for the local Jewish community] is up to each individual."

Antman said the federation aims to raise $500,000 on Super Sunday, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Nov. 22 at 230 Old Bridge Turnpike in South River, and $2.3 million in its annual campaign, both in line with last year's totals.

To give donors a better understanding of how their money is being used, the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County has established four priority categories, said Evan Levitt, financial resources and development director: people in need, Jewish community programming, Israel and overseas, and Jewish continuity and identity. The federation mailed four cards, one on each category, to 1,000 people who hadn't donated before, Levitt said.

For past donors, Levitt said the Monmouth federation arranged in-person meetings to explain how increased donations can be directed toward any one of the four categories. On its Dec. 6 Super Sunday, from 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. in the Ruth Hyman JCC at 100 Grant Ave. in Deal, the federation hopes to raise $300,000, the same amount as last year, Levitt said. But for the annual campaign, the federation's goal of $1.85 million is lower than past years due to tempered expectations in a rough economy, he said.

Antman, however, said that because the recession means the Middlesex federation's work is even more urgent, she hopes people who are able to give will be more willing to contribute even more than they normally have.

"I think this community will step up to the plate as it has in the past," Antman said.

Responding to job loss in the community, Antman noted, the Middlesex federation has organized several ParnasaFest programs, networking events that bring together recruiters, hiring managers, and individuals from various career fields to mingle with attendees. The next ParnasaFest is at Congregation B'nai Tikvah, North Brunswick, from 7-9:30 p.m. Nov. 18.

Money the Middlesex federation raises on Super Sunday will help pay for 13,000 kosher meals on wheels, day care and Lunch ‘n Learn programs for seniors, Shabbat dinners for Rutgers students, a new youth philanthropy program called J.Team, and the PJ Library, which will help 600 preschoolers receive a free Jewish book every month, Antman said.

For the Monmouth federation, Levitt said Super Sunday funds will go toward joint efforts with the Jewish Agency to rebuild the homes of families in southern Israel, 20,000 kosher meals on wheels, and day school education, summer camp stipends, and Israel travel for kids, Levitt said. The Monmouth federation's slogan for Super Sunday is "One people, one day, one community."

At the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties, the theme for Super Sunday on Dec. 6, from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center at 775 Talamini Road in Bridgewater, will be "Unified. Committed." The slogan signifies new federation President Ed Tolman's belief that "people in our Jewish community are like people in his family," said Matt Balaban, development coordinator.

Funds from the Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren federation's Super Sunday will be used for Rutgers Hillel, Jewish Family Service, the Birnbaum JCC, and the Ohr Tikvah Jewish Healing Center locally, as well as the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee overseas, Balaban said. Agencies like JFS have been critical during the recession, he said, as the federation has been referring them a large volume of calls about issues like health counseling and unemployment.

Another challenge on Super Sunday is finding enough willing volunteers to make what many people consider awkward fundraising phone calls, explained Iva Dyckman, who is co-chairing the Middlesex federation's Super Sunday with Debbie Friedman and Naomi Lasky. Dyckman said the federation is hoping to secure 60 volunteers for each of three Super Sunday sessions, including 9 a.m.-noon, 12-2 p.m., and 6-9 p.m.

Dyckman said she hopes that on Super Sunday, community members "remember that even if they are having tough times, there are people out there having tougher times."