Note the alleged "nonsectarian" nature of Chabad's hurricane relief campaign. Eliot Spitzer, are you listening?
Chabad Telethon to Aid Hurricane Relief Efforts
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, Director
of West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch, announced today that Chabad will urge donors
during its upcoming "Celebration 25" Telethon to add to their usual
contributions in order to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The
California-based organization has joined as a full partner in a broad relief
program undertaken by Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana, and is providing vital
financial, material, and logistical aid to those in need."It's impossible to see the images of destruction and loss coming from the
Gulf Coast and not be moved to action," said Rabbi Cunin. "Our hearts go out
to the hundreds of thousands who are suffering from this disaster, and we will
continue to do everything we can to help the survivors. On September 25, we
will ask our generous Telethon donors to contribute an extra amount during
this emergency that they can earmark for hurricane relief. Chabad has a long,
proud tradition of nonsectarian crisis intervention, and now is the time for
all of us to step forward," said Rabbi Cunin."West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch has assumed a critical role in our
life-saving hurricane relief efforts," said Rabbi Zelig Rivkin, Director of
Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana. "They are providing immediate assistance that
allows us to react quickly to the crisis, and have partnered with us in every
way during this difficult time. We are grateful that the Chabad Telethon will
urge donors to add to their usual contributions to support our efforts.""This is a time of great need for all of us along the Gulf Coast," added
Rabbi Rivkin. "Our network of emergency centers in the disaster area is
working around the clock to assist survivors of this terrible storm. We hope
that Telethon viewers -- in addition to supporting Chabad's ongoing, vital
programs that rely on their donations -- will use this opportunity to extend a
helping hand for our relief efforts."Chabad's Telethon is an annual fundraising event that supports the largest
network of educational and nonsectarian social services under Jewish auspices
in America. Over the last 25 years, the Telethon has hosted appearances by
such leading entertainment industry figures as Jon Voight, Magic Johnson,
Martin Sheen, Bob Dylan, Matt LeBlanc, Tony Danza, Whoopi Goldberg, Drea de
Matteo, and Jerry Weintraub. The special Chabad "Celebration 25" Telethon
will broadcast live from Hollywood on September 25th, from 3 pm to Midnight,
PDT. It will also be simulcast around the globe via the Internet at
http://www.tolife.com.More than a dozen Chabad centers across the Gulf Coast and the South have
been converted into emergency relief stations to provide shelter, food,
clothing and accommodations to displaced families. Chabad of Louisiana has
been involved in evacuation efforts, and has provided counseling, referrals to
other agencies, and networking for those in search of loved ones. The
organization is also helping place children in Chabad schools -- with tuition
waived -- and is finding temporary housing for many families. Additionally,
they are using their network of community and business contacts to find new
employment for displaced persons."West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch will stand with our Gulf Coast
representatives in the days and months ahead as we work to help the hurricane
survivors rebuild their lives," said Rabbi Cunin. "Our centers here on the
West Coast will open their doors to refugees with relatives in the area -- in
fact, the first groups have already arrived. We will reach out in every way
possible to offer a new beginning for those affected by this tragedy.""The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, taught us the
special power contained within each good deed," added Rabbi Cunin, "And after
this devastating storm, we will need as many good deeds as possible."