Chabad Telethon 2012 – Photos

The 32nd annual Chabad “To Life!” Telethon, benefiting the activities of Chabad of the West Coast, has concluded on Sunday with the total sum of $4,039,902 raised.

Broadcast live from the historic Saban Theater in Los Angeles, it featured a tribute to slain “Munich 11″ who were brutally murdered 40 years ago in Munich, Germany on September 6, 1972.

A cantorial performance by Cantor Yanki Lemer accompanied scenes from Bud Greenspan’s award-winning documentary.

“The world has yet to properly acknowledge the innocent 11 victims,” said Larry King, famed television personality and host of the Telethon. “We will light a candle. Not just a memorial candle. A candle of hope, a candle with a call to action.”

King addressed the importance of the Chabad Telethon in these turbulent economic times.

“This year we have been overwhelmed with requests for food, clothing and rehabilitation,” said King. “We find ourselves without the financial means to respond to many requests for help,” he said.

[Text from ColLive.com, Photos by Monica Lightstone & David Miller]

Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, head of West Coast Chabad, said: “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 32 years. On September 9th, we will fight hopelessness with happiness as we work harder and dance more than ever to celebrate the joy of giving.”

Known for its celebrity guests and “Dancing Rabbis,” the growing list of celebrity appearances included Jon Voight, Elliott Gould, Howie Mandel, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, Bob Saget, and co-hosts Elon Gold, Stella Inger and Sam Rubin.

Musical performances included the 8th Day band, 11 year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick, Grammy award-winning Pacific Boychoir, Benny Friedman, Eli Marcus and “A Jewish Star” winner Dovid Moskovits.

The Telethon is co-chaired by Hollywood mega-producer Jerry Weintraub and all-star attorney Marshall Grossman.

It was aired on KTLA 5 in Los Angeles, WLNY in New York, KTSF in S. Francisco and Jewish Life Television’s (JLTV) DirecTV, Channel 366 nationwide and on COLlive.com.