Photos: 32nd Annual Chabad Telethon a Hit

HOLLYWOOD, CA [CHI] — Larry King hosted the 32nd annual Chabad “To Life!” Telethon, broadcasted live from the historic Saban Theater this past Sunday, September 9, raising a total of 4,039,902 dollars during an intensely emotional 3 hour extravaganza.

The Telethon featured the beloved Dancing Rabbis, celebrity appearances by Jon Voight, Howie Mandel, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, NBA’s Trey Thompkins and co-hosts comedian Elon Gold, Stella Inger, and KTLA’s Sam Rubin.

The annual fundraiser saw a host of musical performances including Chasidic singer Lipa, 8th Day, Cantor Yanky Lemer, 11 year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick, “A Jewish Star” winner Dovid Moskovits, Benny Friedman and Eli Marcus.

“The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, has taught us that each one of us has the opportunity and the responsibility to share the precious gift of joy,” said Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, head of West Coast Chabad, “and that’s been the underlying theme of this Telethon for 32 years.”

With rare footage and scenes from Bud Greenspan’s award-winning documentary, “1972 Olympic Games: Bud Greenspan Remembers”, Larry King introduced a special tribute honoring the memory of the slain “Munich 11.” “The candle we will light is not just a memorial candle but a candle of hope, a candle with a call to action,” he said. Cantor Yanky Lemer concluded the tribute with a soul stirring rendition of “Avinu Malkeinu.”

“I enjoyed this Telehon immensely,” said Mission Viejo resident Dr. Mark Cymerint. “The music was stellar and I was particularly touched by the story about the special needs program and of course the tribute to the athletes,” he said.

The flagship station for the 2012 Chabad Telethon was KTLA 5, LA’s original broadcast station, which partners with Chabad’s effort to help those in need.

The Telethon also aired on WLNY 10/55 in New York, KTSF26 in S. Francisco and Jewish Life Television’s (JLTV) DirecTV, Channel 366 nationwide. The Telethon also streamed live on the web at www.ToLife.com.

In all, the 2012 Chabad Telethon reached a record 54 million households nationwide. Viewers tuned-in to join the unique combination of celebrity guests and dancing rabbis.

“They say it takes a village, and that’s very true of the Telethon as well,” said advertising executive and Telethon producer Chaim Marcus. “The Telethon would not be possible without the generous support of so many,” he said.

About the Telethon

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 overwhelming viewer response that the one-time event became an annual tradition, and now serves as Chabad’s biggest fundraiser each year.

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. This 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 Jerry Weintraub and Marshall Grossman and produced by Rabbi Chaim Cunin and Chaim Marcus.

Photos by David Miller, Mushka Lightstone and Aaron Keigher