LOS ANGELES – ON September 9 this year, Chabad California will hold its 27th Telethon, an annual fundraising event broadcast on national Channel 9 to millions of viewers.
The live broadcast traditionally hosts prominent celebrities and stars, who help encourage viewers to donate to the organization's charitable projects across the state.
Chabad operates some 200 branches in California, as well as a network of rehabilitation centers for alcoholics and drug addicts of all races and beliefs.
Previous Telethons hosted the stars of shows like Seinfeld and Friends, as well as Steven Spielberg, Magic Johnson, Elliot Gould, Bob Dylan, Adam Sandler and Martin Sheen.
This year, talk show host Larry King and the governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger have already confirmed their participation in the Telethon.
Rabbi Chaim Cunin of Chabad California told Ynet that the Telethon's goal was to reach out to Jews who are not very close to Judaism, juts ahead of Rosh Hashana.