Larry King Headlines Chabad’s Telethon

Image by Getty Images

By Renee Ghert-Zand October 5, 2011

Larry King just can’t pass up an opportunity to connect with television audiences. Although he stepped down from hosting “Larry King Live” on CNN last December, King was back on camera a few days before Rosh Hashanah this year to host the 31st annual Chabad “Lechaim To Life” telethon. King’s return engagement netted $4.2 million to support Chabad’s (https://forward.com/schmooze/320610/rosh-hashana/ “Rosh Hashanah”) this year to host the 31st annual Chabad “Lechaim To Life” telethon. King’s return engagement netted $4.2 million to support Chabad’s [broad network’) of centers and programs.

When asked why King agreed to return to the spotlight on Chabad’s behalf, he said, “We all have friends and family who’ve fallen upon bitter times, and this Rosh Hashanah it will take more than just ‘an apple in honey’ to bring them a sweet year. So I’m joining to help the thousands of people from all faiths and backgrounds who’ve turned to Chabad in dire need.”

King used the star-studded broadcast as an opportunity to dedicate a memorial wall in the UCLA Chabad House in honor of his parents, and he invited viewers to dedicate a Yizkor memorial plaque in honor of their deceased loved ones.

The former talk show host is the latest in a long line of celebrities to host or participate in the Chabad telethon. King, himself, made appearances on the program for several years before assuming the role of host. The annual fundraiser was established in 1980 by Carol O’Connor, star of “All in the Family,” after he witnessed a fire that destroyed the UCLA Chabad House (the first one ever established) and tragically claimed the lives of three students.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO