Eager to get in touch with his Jewish roots — and to lend a helping hand to Israeli children with disabilities — actor William Shatner is “boldly” going to Israel later in the month to assess the condition of the country’s “therapeutic riding centers.” A longtime equestrian, the former “Star Trek” star has in recent years been active with American charities involved in using horses to help handicapped children. Now, he said, it’s time to make a difference internationally. The actor, who today stars on the ABC drama “Boston Legal,” has teamed up with the Jewish National Fund to help raise $10 million for therapeutic riding centers across Israel. The program hopes to facilitate cooperation among Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians. “What better way to create a dialogue than by helping handicapped children from different countries feel good about themselves?” Shatner said.

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