Pulling in record amounts for the past seven years, the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago sets a tough act for itself to follow in each new fundraising campaign. This year they once again met the challenge, raising a record $64.5 million.

Funds raised by the organization support rescue, social welfare, health care and educational services for 300,000 people of all faiths and races in the city, the organization reports. Donations also go to help provide support and resettlement services for Jews all over the world.

The campaign received more than 42,000 gifts, coming from more than half of the Jewish households in the city above the poverty line. This level of giving puts Chicago in the lead among large cities for per capita federation giving.

"This campaign brought the community together. We served as emissaries to the Jewish community in Italy, France, Kiev and Moscow," said Steve Barnett, 1999 General Campaign chairman, referring to places that Fund contributors visited, "and as emissaries coming back, telling our community about these people and the way they live. This campaign was about treating the Jewish community as family."

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