Chabad telethon gives old message new edge

Media-savvy rabbis and producers have revamped the annual Chabad “To Life” telethon and will unveil a streamlined and contemporary program this fall.

The fundraiser will take place Sept. 10 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m. and can be viewed on KTSF channel 26 in San Francisco. Los Angeles: KCAL Channel 9. S. Diego: KUSI Channel 9. Las Vegas: KVMY Channel 12. New York/New Jersey/Connecticut: WLNY Channel 55. Nationwide: Dish Network Channel 9601.

An online simulcast of the telethon will be streamed on the Chabad Web site, www.tolife.com.

The revitalized telethon will incorporate new music and sets, will broadcast on more channels and has an updated logo.

Organizers have invited venerable comedian and actor Shelley Berman, and comedian Elon Gold to co-host the telethon this year in an effort to appeal to a broad range of viewers.

This year’s program will pay special tribute to comedian and actor Jan Murray, who helped launch the Chabad telethon in 1980. Murray died in July.

Past guests have included President Bush, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Magic Johnson, Martin Sheen, Matisyahu and Perry Farrell.

Chabad has been setting donation records for 25 years, raising millions of dollars for the organization and its causes, and is reaching out to an even wider audience as it broadcasts live from Hollywood.

Much of the change this year has been spurred by Chabad’s desire to reach out to viewers of all ages, backgrounds and religions. And producers Michael Levin and Chaim Cunin, with years of television production experience, have been the catalyst for many of the changes.

The telethon is the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraising event. Donations finance a range of humanitarian services such as a residential drug treatment center, holiday meals for the homeless, the Friendship Circle and other programs.