Almost 55 years, three children, 10 grandchildren and, in June, one great-grandchild later, Ozzie and Dorothy Goren are progenitors of a philanthropic dynasty that will be honored May 23 at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles\’ annual Fammy Awards dinner.
The situation is dire. On its existing funds — about $40 million a year, most of which comes from the monies collected by Jewish federations across the U.S. — the organization can just about handle its caseload of 140,000 people.
More than $2.2 million in grants — including $1.7million to the Israel Experience Program — was committed by the Jewish Community Foundation last month to local programs benefiting a variety of Jewish organizations.
The Chabad Telethon — that unique mix of caring, sharing and good production values — returns to the small screen this Sunday, Aug. 30, from 5 p.m. to midnight on UPN Channel 13.
As I have traveled the communal philanthropic \”circuit\” this year, I have been moved to ponder who gets the most out of our enterprise: those who are receiving communal service or those who are volunteering their time and other resources to assure that those in need will benefit?
It is our Jewish concern for human welfare that takes the rabbis where the needs exist. It is the United Jewish Fund\’s concern for justice and human need that directs Federation support to the chaplaincy program.
Mickey Weiss, everybody\’s favorite mensch and philanthropist, diedmore than a year ago, but his good works go on.
If anyone had any doubts that the Chabad telethon has become a landmark on the pop culture scene, consider this: The entire cast of \”Friends,\” one of NBC\’s top-rated sitcoms, has produced a segment of the show to air only on the telethon.
Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin will once again be joined by JonVoight (left) and Jan Murray (right), at Chabad\’s annual telethon. As sure as the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano, the dancing rabbis are returning to TV stations nationwide for the annual Chabad telethon. Nothing in modern culture quite compares, or quite illustrates just how topsy-turvy modern culture can be: Here are Orthodox rabbis in traditional 17th-century Polish noble garb dancing with Hollywood stars in Armani suits, espousing lines of ancient Torah via the most advanced satellite technology, giving a centuries-old pitch for charity, and taking payment via credit card.What a wonderful world….\n\nThis year\’s telethon will take place on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 5p.m. to midnight, on UPN Channel 13. Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, theWest Coast director of Chabad and founder of the telethon 17 yearsago, will lead the marathon endeavor, and comedian Freddie Roman willhost. Among the stars slated to show up — and eventually dance withthe rabbis — are James Caan, Mayim Bialik, Tony Curtis, Sid Caesar,Fyvush Finkel, Estelle Getty, Jan Murray, Tony Danza, Judd Nelson,Jon Voight, Regis Philbin, Edward James Olmos, Shelley Winters, theLimelighters, the Tokens and Ed Ames. Producer Jerry Weintraub ischairman of the event.
The ad, which pictures a small child with a worried expression, is one way the UJF is trying to tackle the unfolding \”Who is a Jew?\” debate in Israel and to limit its impact among American donors to the UJF.
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