Several new programs will highlight Super Sunday 2008, the biggest fund-raiser of the year for the United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest NJ.

The annual event will take place Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Alex Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus in Whippany.

Hundreds of callers will work the phone banks, seeking pledges from members of the community to support the work of the UJA.

Cochairs for Super Sunday 2008 are Jean Mandell of Lake Hopatcong, Daniel Ramer of Maplewood, and Ron Silbermann of Randolph.

Silbermann said he expected this year's experience to be the best one yet. One of several new features will be a Synagogue "50-50" Challenge, he said. Twelve area houses of worship will provide volunteers to call their own members. Contributions from anyone who has either never made a previous commitment or not made one for at least three years will be split between UJC MetroWest and the synagogue.

"It's an excellent opportunity to help out both the local synagogue and the federation," he said.

The day will also feature "a friendly competition between MetroWest agencies trying to raise the most money," said Silbermann.

Mandell said the event is not only about fund-raising, but also about community building. "Super Sunday is a time for everyone," she said. "Anyone, affiliated or not, can come together to support the local Jewish community and Israel, or just come out to enjoy the activities we've got planned."

"Super Sunday is a day filled with tremendous Jewish spirit and enthusiasm for Jewish values," said Ramer. "It's a day the whole community can get together and work toward lifting up our Jewish brothers and sisters in need. The day takes much energy but the end result is so gratifying."

Adults will be able to attend cooking demonstrations at 4:30 and 6 p.m. with Levana Kirschenbaum of Levana, one of New York City's leading kosher restaurants, and purchase signed copies of her cookbook, Levana's Table.

Pre-kindergarten to fifth-grade kids can go with their parents to a carnival from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will include mitzva projects. Children four and under, with their parents, can enjoy Music and Movement with Carol Berman.

Baby-sitting services will be available for children 12 months and older from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The day will end with a dessert celebration.

Middle and high school students can get "hands-on" in the day's theme of tzedaka.

The high school program, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include an allocation exercise to help teens understand how United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ operates. Teens will then have an opportunity to make Super Sunday phone calls and take part in a post-calling hour of reflection and celebration.

Middle school students will have the opportunity to run mitzva projects at the carnival, assist with baby-sitting, or help with coin sorting.

All participants will receive credit for community service hours for their schools.

"It's hard to say no to teenagers," said Silbermann, who will be working his 27th Super Sunday. "Teens on the phone are an extremely valuable tool. We hope we're going to get from them and give back to them. We're educating them because they're our future leaders."

Those wishing to volunteer for Super Sunday can choose from among four time slots: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., noon to 3:30 p.m., 3 to 6 p.m., and 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Corporate sponsors for Super Sunday 2008 are Douglas Auto Group in Summit and IDT.