Voight. Highlighting Israel
Photo: Barry Meling
Jon Voight to pay Sderot a solidarity visit
Academy Award winning actor to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary with rocket-battered city's residents, terror victims
Oscar winner Jon Voight is coming to Israel
next week for his first solidarity visit to salute the Jewish state in honor of its 60th birthday.
World-renowned for his roles in "Midnight Cowboy," "Coming Home," "Deliverance," "Mission Impossible," "Ali and National Treasure," among others, Voight will welcome Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl’s (CCOC) 80th rescue mission airlifting children from irradiated regions in Ukraine, Belarus and Western Russia to Israel; visit Sderot, which has endured 7,000 Hamas missiles and numerous casualties; comfort terror victims; and, go to Yad Vashem.
“I’m coming to salute, encourage and strengthen the people of Israel on this joyous 60th birthday,” said Voight. “This week is about highlighting Israel as a moral beacon. At a time when its enemies threaten nuclear destruction, Israel heals.
"Israel is a haven from nuclear horrors for thousands of Chernobyl survivors who suffer the consequences of the worst environmental disaster in history. I personally want to welcome the youngsters aboard Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl’s 80th Rescue Mission—it is a great honor to help save a child’s life.”
Giving back to society has long been a priority for Voight, having volunteered with and contributed to numerous charities and causes at home and abroad. His deep humanitarian values direct him to Sderot and to Chabad’s Terror Victims Project (CTVP).
“I want to meet the people of Sderot,” said Voight. “I want to tell them: ‘Every day you have rockets falling on your city. We care about you. We have not forgotten you!’ And I want to underscore Israel’s magnificent contributions to mankind.”
Voight will also attend President Shimon Peres’ Presidential Conference: “Facing Tomorrow.”
CCOC, a non-profit organization established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1990, has airlifted 2,500 children to Israel. The children live in Kfar Chabad, Israel, where they receive medical care, education, and support. Most CCOC alumni settle in Israel following the eventual aliyah of their parents.
