Chabad Partners with KTLA 5 on Sunday, September 13th to produce its biggest and most important Telethon yet

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Chabad announced that the 29th annual Chabad “To Life!” Telethon, known for its celebrity guests and dancing rabbis will broadcast live from Hollywood on Sunday, September 13, from 5PM to 11PM (PDT). The current economic crisis has caused a tremendous increase in demand for Chabad’s social services. Therefore, Chabad proclaimed its determination to make this year’s Telethon an extravaganza that will raise the desperately needed funds to help those who need it now, more than ever.

The growing list of confirmed guests includes Jon Voight, Larry King, Howie Mandel, Tom Arnold, Mindy Sterling, Sam Rubin, NBA Champion Jordan Farmar and co-hosts Elon Gold and Leslie Grossman. Slated performances include Israel’s world music sensation Idan Raichel, Broadway legend Mike Burstyn, Ray Chew’s Boys Choir of Harlem, Moshav Band and 8th Day.

“These challenging times call for increased joy and a renewed commitment to help those in need. 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 29 years,” said Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, head of West Coast Chabad. “Now more than ever, people are turning to Chabad for help,” he said, “Men, women and children face desperation and hopelessness. On September 13, 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 $8 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 2009 Chabad “To Life” Telethon is KTLA 5, LA’s original broadcast station, who are partnering with Chabad in its efforts to help those in need.

John Moczulski, Vice President of KTLA 5, is excited about the new partnership. “KTLA 5 is proud to partner with Chabad to bring the Telethon to Los Angeles. As Los Angeles’ marquee news station and the only station with ‘LA’ in our call letters, we see Chabad’s dedication to helping people, and we want to be a part of it. They’re an amazing part of our community; they represent the heart and soul of what makes LA special — its generosity and commitment to those in need,” he said. DirectTV will carry the live Telethon nationwide on Jewish Life Television’s (JLTV) Channel 366 and the Telethon will stream live on the web at ToLife.com.

In all, the 2009 Chabad “To Life” Telethon will reach more than 150 million households worldwide. 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.

“We have an incredible team working on this Telethon. Everything will be bigger, better, and more joyous,” said Chaim Marcus, Telethon Producer. “We are especially excited about Larry King joining us this year,” he said.

“The Telethon started in response to a terrible event, and brought us new hope,” explained Rabbi Cunin. “To this day, the program provides a way to demonstrate our common humanity and fulfill the Rebbe’s vision of people working together to help one another.”

For more information visit www.ToLife.com. All media inquiries contact Daniel Ferszt at (310) 359-8419 or email dferszt@globalpointpr.com.