(Courtesy of JFGMWNJ) Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ invites all members of the community to join them on Sunday, March 11, at The BIGGIVE, their community-wide day of giving, a new-and-improved variation of what has been called Super Sunday, and incorporating Challah Bake Jr. and volunteer opportunities. The day-long festivities will take place at two area locations, Kushner Academy in Livingston and the JCC Central in Scotch Plains. The BIGGIVE is chaired by Adina Brownstein and Maxine Schwartz and Challah Bake Jr. is chaired by Carrie Jaffe and Robyn Laveman.

“We are so excited for this year’s The BIGGIVE,” said Brownstein. “This community-wide day of calling to raise funds for the UJA Annual Campaign has always been both a fun and an important day where we come together to raise the funds needed to make possible work like providing meals for seniors, connecting young people with their heritage, support our partner communities in Israel, and much more. Each year we try to make the event unique and more exciting, and I think combining it with Challah Bake Jr. is a great way to bring out young families to participate.”

Calling sessions will take place in Scotch Plains from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and in Livingston from 5 to 9 p.m. (including a special calling session for teens). Challah Bake Jr. will take place at both locations from 1 to 4 p.m. Feel free to come any time during these timeframes to participate.

“Robyn and I are thrilled about this year’s Challah Bake Jr.,” said Jaffe. “In addition to braiding and baking loaves of delicious challah and delivering them to clients of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest and Central NJ, kids and their parents will have an opportunity to participate in some really fun activities that will help them to see that their efforts are making a big impact on those in need in our community.”

In conjunction with The BIGGIVE, JFGMWNJ is launching two new fundraising initiatives this year. “TEAM BIGGIVE is a new and fun way for community members to get involved in raising money through social media. Designated TEAM BIGGIVE Connectors have created individual fundraising pages where they can share their personal stories of how Federation has touched their lives,” said Schwartz. “Each Connector is hoping to reach new donors and spread the word about the important work Federation does. As an added bonus, all new gifts made through TEAM BIGGIVE will be matched dollar for dollar.” In addition, Federation’s community of 25- to 45-year-olds is encouraging their members to participated in NextDor Night In on Saturday, March 10. This initiative encourages couples to spend the night in with their families and donate the money they would have spent on dinner and a sitter to the Annual Campaign.

“There are so many ways for members of the community, young and old, to give back through The BIGGIVE,” said Laveman. “I hope everyone will come by for an hour or two, learn some new things about Federation, make some new friends and do something important for our Jewish community.”

To register or for more information about The BIGGIVE at both sites, plus how to get involved in TEAM BIGGIVE or NextDor Night In, visit www.jfedgmw.org/biggive.

The BIGGIVE is sponsored by GPS General Plumbing Supply and Online Computers.