Larry King to Host Chabad National Telethon

Chabad of the West Coast announced today that Larry King with host the 32nd annual Chabad “To Life!” Telethon, broadcasting live from the historic Saban Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 9, at 8:00pm.

Known for its celebrity guests and “Dancing Rabbis,” the growing list of celebrity appearances include Jon Voight, Elliott Gould, Howie Mandel, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, Bob Saget, and cohosts Elon Gold, Stella Inger and Sam Rubin. Slated musical performances include, Lipa Schmeltzer, 8th Day, Cantor Yanky Lemer, 11 year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick, Grammy award-winning Pacific Boys Choir, Benny Friedman, Eli Marcus and “A Jewish Star” winner Dovid Moskovits.

A special tribute will honor the memory of the slain “Munich 11”, who were brutally murdered 40 years ago in Munich, Germany on September 6, 1972. The tribute will include scenes from Bud Greenspan’s award-winning documentary and a special cantorial performance by Cantor Lemer.

“The world has yet to properly acknowledge the innocent 11 victims”, said Larry King, host of the Chabad Telethon. “We will light a candle. Not just a memorial candle. A candle of hope, a candle with a call to action,” he said.

Larry King addressed the importance of the Chabad Telethon in these turbulent economic times. “This year we have been overwhelmed with requests for food, clothing and rehabilitation,” said King. “We find ourselves without the financial means to respond to many requests for help,” he said.

Chabad proclaimed its determination to make this year’s Telethon an extravaganza that will raise desperately needed funds to help those who need it now, more than ever.

“Each one of us has the opportunity and the responsibility to share the precious gift of joy. That’s been the underlying theme of this Telethon for 32 years,” said Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, head of West Coast Chabad. “On September 9th, we will fight hopelessness with happiness as we work harder and dance more than ever to celebrate the joy of giving,” he exclaimed.

The Telethon supports Chabad’s network of over 200 community outreach centers, and a broad range of educational and nonsectarian programs providing social services to the needy and support for children with special needs. Last year’s broadcast generated more than $4 million in charitable gifts, with donations ranging from a single dollar to tens of thousands. The Telethon is co-chaired by Hollywood mega-producer Jerry Weintraub and all-star attorney Marshall Grossman.

The flagship station for the 2012 Chabad Telethon is KTLA 5, LA’s original broadcast station, who are partnering with Chabad in its effort to help those in need.

The Telethon will be carried on WLNY in New York, KTSF in S. Francisco and Jewish Life Television’s (JLTV) DirecTV, Channel 366 nationwide. The Telethon will stream live on the web at ToLife.com.

In all, the 2012 Chabad Telethon will reach a record 54 million households nationwide. Viewers tune-in to join the unique combination of celebrity guests and dancing rabbis-—and when they do, they’ll see just the latest round of an ongoing celebration of giving. Larry King is excitedly looking forward to his participation in the 2012 Chabad Telethon. “The Telethon is the highlight of my year,” said King.

The Chabad Telethon was launched in 1980, in response to a devastating fire that destroyed Chabad’s west coast headquarters in Westwood and claimed the lives of three young men.

To help recover from the disaster, a live, televised fundraiser featuring actors, musicians, community leaders and concerned citizens was planned. Hosted by actor Carroll O’Connor and comedian Jan Murray, the Telethon was an instant hit. It received such an overwhelming viewer response that the one-time event became an annual tradition, and now serves as Chabad’s biggest fundraiser each year.