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Over $4 Million Raised at Annual Chabad Telethon

Chabad of the West Coast’s 32nd annual L’Chaim “To Life!” Telethon raised a total of 4,039,902 dollars during an intensely emotional 3 hour extravaganza. The total was slightly below last year’s tally of $4.2 million.

Due to the current challenging economic times, Chabad has worked overtime to service communities around the world through their centers, schools, homeless shelters and drug treatment centers.

The evening began with an introduction by returning host Larry King, who introduced Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, Director of Chabad of California. Rabbi Cunin spoke to the crowd and then sounded the Shofar, in honor of the approaching Jewish New Year.

True to form, the Chabad Telethon went on to showcase a variety of entertainment, Co-hosts Sam Rubin and Stella Inger and Elon Gold helped lead an evening filled with celebrity appearances by Jon Voight, Howie Mandel, Tom Arnold, David Arquette and Bob Saget.

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

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. The Telethon is co-chaired by Hollywood mega producer Jerry Weintraub and all-star attorney Marshall Grossman.

History of the Telethon

The first Telethon aired in 1980, after tragedy had struck Chabad. A devastating fire swept through the organization’s headquarters in Westwood, destroying the Chabad House and claiming the lives of three young men.

To help recover from the disaster, a special event was planned: a live, televised fundraiser featuring actors, musicians, community leaders and concerned citizens. Joined by the rabbis of Chabad, the guests would ask for community support to help the organization rebuild.

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. And the image of the dancing rabbi–symbolic of the happiness felt when people perform good deeds–has become a pop culture icon.

“Whether it’s a child who needs a nurturing education, a senior citizen who needs some companionship, or an addict who needs a second chance–there are so many members of our community who are in desperate need,” said Rabbi Cunin. “Chabad has always been blessed by caring and compassionate supporters, and we want the Telethon to inspire them to come together to dance, to sing, and to reach out to those less fortunate.”

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12 Comments

  • WHY NOT A WORLDWIDE ONE

    i heard the rebbe was not for this

    i watched it and thought we stood for better things

    can someone clarify about the rebbe on telethons and why doesnt chabad do A WORLDWIDE TELETHON FOR ALL SHLUCHIM

  • Yosy Y.

    Will they discount tuition at the BCM, Bais REbbe & Bais Channa girls schools? Or will he buy another building??

  • LA Live

    Hopefully they can save Bais Chana’s Building
    As for tuition that is not why the telethon was instituted to get tuition reduction …… get a job

  • to #4

    Bingo!

    All those well meaning people who want to help support drug rehab and other good causes are really just supporting the Cunin family debt…

  • Read the fine print

    Whether it’s a child who needs a nurturing education, a senior citizen who needs some companionship, or an addict who needs a second chance–there are so many members of our community who are in desperate need,” said Rabbi Cunin. “Chabad has always been blessed by caring and compassionate supporters, and we want the Telethon to inspire them to come together to dance, to sing, and to reach out to those less fortunate.”

    You notice that Cunin doesn’t say that he’s going to use any of the $4 Million to help these people. He mentions all these nebach cases, and then says that he has been blessed with supporters and that he’ll dance and sing and “reach out” a very vague term that doesn’t obligate him to use the money to help anyone. sorry for being cynical … that’s how I read that paragraph.

  • A former employee of Rabbi Cunin

    4 million, wow that’s amazing! Maybe now I can get the 6 months salary I’m owed.