LOS ANGELES – May 02, 2010 – TODAY Chabad of California will host the Grand Unity Lag B’Omer Parade, Rally & Fair in celebration of the 18th day of the Jewish month of Iyar and holiday of Lag B’Omer. The festivities will begin at 10:30 AM on Pico Blvd, between Doheny & Crest Blvd.

The celebratory parade will kick off with a welcoming introduction by Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, Director of Chabad of California and Councilman Paul Koretz, Los Angeles District 5 Representative. The Parade will feature floats, children’s marching bands, clowns and motorcade. A childrens rally and parade will follow with rides, live entertainment, games and prizes.Admission is free and tickets for rides and games are sold at a nominal fee. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

LAG B’OMER

Lag B’Omer marks the passing of the great sage, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The Sage, who is also known as the “Rashbi,” requested that the date of his passing be commemorated with joy. He explained that the day of one’s passing signifies the completion of the soul’s mission for which it was sent to this world to fulfill.

CHABAD YOUTH PROGRAMS

The Lag B’Omer Unity Rally is a project of Chabad Youth Programs. Chabad is a nonprofit organization that runs the largest network of educational and nonsectarian social service programs under Jewish auspices on the West Coast.  To learn more about Chabad and its charitable work, please visit www.Chabad.com.

All media contact Daniel Ferszt at

(310) 359-8419 or email news@globalpointpr.com

Chabad Partners with KTLA 5 on Sunday, September 13th to produce its biggest and most important Telethon yet

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Chabad announced that the 29th annual Chabad “To Life!” Telethon, known for its celebrity guests and dancing rabbis will broadcast live from Hollywood on Sunday, September 13, from 5PM to 11PM (PDT). The current economic crisis has caused a tremendous increase in demand for Chabad’s social services. Therefore, Chabad proclaimed its determination to make this year’s Telethon an extravaganza that will raise the desperately needed funds to help those who need it now, more than ever.

The growing list of confirmed guests includes Jon Voight, Larry King, Howie Mandel, Tom Arnold, Mindy Sterling, Sam Rubin, NBA Champion Jordan Farmar and co-hosts Elon Gold and Leslie Grossman. Slated performances include Israel’s world music sensation Idan Raichel, Broadway legend Mike Burstyn, Ray Chew’s Boys Choir of Harlem, Moshav Band and 8th Day.

“These challenging times call for increased joy and a renewed commitment to help those in need. 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 29 years,” said Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, head of West Coast Chabad. “Now more than ever, people are turning to Chabad for help,” he said, “Men, women and children face desperation and hopelessness. On September 13, we will fight hopelessness with happiness as we work harder and dance more than ever to celebrate the joy of giving.” he exclaimed.
The Telethon supports Chabad’s network of over 200 community outreach centers and a broad range of educational and nonsectarian programs providing social services to the needy and support for children with special needs. Last year’s broadcast generated more than $8 million in charitable gifts, with donations ranging from a single dollar to tens of thousands. The Telethon is co-chaired by Hollywood mega producer Jerry Weintraub and all-star attorney Marshall Grossman.

The flagship station for the 2009 Chabad “To Life” Telethon is KTLA 5, LA’s original broadcast station, who are partnering with Chabad in its efforts to help those in need.

John Moczulski, Vice President of KTLA 5, is excited about the new partnership. “KTLA 5 is proud to partner with Chabad to bring the Telethon to Los Angeles. As Los Angeles’ marquee news station and the only station with ‘LA’ in our call letters, we see Chabad’s dedication to helping people, and we want to be a part of it. They’re an amazing part of our community; they represent the heart and soul of what makes LA special — its generosity and commitment to those in need,” he said. DirectTV will carry the live Telethon nationwide on Jewish Life Television’s (JLTV) Channel 366 and the Telethon will stream live on the web at ToLife.com.

In all, the 2009 Chabad “To Life” Telethon will reach more than 150 million households worldwide. Viewers tune-in to join the unique combination of celebrity guests and dancing rabbis–and when they do, they’ll see just the latest round of an ongoing celebration of giving.

“We have an incredible team working on this Telethon. Everything will be bigger, better, and more joyous,” said Chaim Marcus, Telethon Producer. “We are especially excited about Larry King joining us this year,” he said.

“The Telethon started in response to a terrible event, and brought us new hope,” explained Rabbi Cunin. “To this day, the program provides a way to demonstrate our common humanity and fulfill the Rebbe’s vision of people working together to help one another.”

For more information visit www.ToLife.com. All media inquiries contact Daniel Ferszt at (310) 359-8419 or email dferszt@globalpointpr.com.

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR AUTISM TO HOST LIVE PRESENTATION AND PUBLIC SCREENING OF EMMY AWARD WINNING HBO DOCUMENTARY “AUTISM: THE MUSICAL”

For immediate release: On Wednesday, August 5th at 6:00 PM The Friendship Circle of Pacific Palisades-Malibu will screnn the Emmy Award winning HBO Documentary, “Autism: The Musical.” The film chronicles the lives of five autistic children and their parents over a period of seven to eight months, as well as their participation in The Miracle Project, a unique theatre arts program created by world renowned writer, director, therapist, educator Coach Elaine Hall (“Coach E”). The event will take place at the Theatre Palisades, and will be the only viewing prior to its screening for American Troops in Pakistan, as chosen by the United States Government. There will also be a live performance featuring some the stars of Autism, as well as a question and answer session with Coach Elaine, who has just recently been invited by the United Nations to be the Global Ambassador for Autism.

“This will be an informative evening for everyone who attends, not just those who are connected to kids with Autism,” says Moriel Zacks, Director of the Friendship Circle; the pioneering nationwide organization that pairs teen volunteers with special needs children. “I am big fan of the film and an even bigger admirer of Coach E and her work. I feel strongly that people have a responsibility on a human level to be informed and to hopefully get involved.”

Rabbi Zushe Cunin is Executive Director of Chabad of Pacific Palisades, which is the parent organization to the Friendship Circle. “This is an event that will affect the entire community in a profound and positive way,” he says. “We are truly blessed to have Elaine as a part of our community and we look forward to working together with The Miracle Project.”

The Theatre Palisades is located at 941 Temescal Canyon Rd, Pacific Palisades, 90272. Tickets can be purchased for $18 at www.fcpalisadesmalibu.org and will be sold for $23 at the door. Light refreshments will be served and seating is limited. All media inquiries contact Daniel Ferszt at Global Point Public Relations (866) 594-4777 or email news@globalpointpr.com.

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About the Film

Autism: The Musical is a call to arms, bringing attention to a modern-day epidemic while celebrating the value of the human spirit in overcoming any challenge. The film introduces Neal, Lexi, Henry, Adam and Wyatt – five autistic kids who, along with their parents, take part in a groundbreaking theatrical workshop. The Miracle Project was started by Neal’s mother Elaine Hall with an eye towards helping children with autism express themselves while learning to socialize with other kids. Over the course of six months, we experience the frustrations, challenges and triumphs of the families both on stage and in their home lives as they prepare for the show. The creative process provides a key to unlocking the children’s inner worlds. We also see how patience, understanding, love and community can be used to help children with autism better adapt to the world at large.

For more information, visit http://www.autismthemusical.com/ . For more information about The Miracle Project, visit http://www.themiracleproject.org/.

About the Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle is a project of Chabad of Pacific Palisades. Its innovative and caring cause extends a helping hand to families who have children with special needs and involves them in a full range of social experiences. The Circle’s unique formula introduces teenage volunteers to the children and their families, and through the shared experiences, all are enriched.

The child with special needs looks forward to a weekly visit and the opportunity to play with and learn from their older friends.

The teenage volunteer learns the value of giving, and cherishes the experience of making a difference in a child’s life and bringing a smile to his or her face.

The child’s family gets a needed respite and the pleasure of seeing their child become a part of the community circle. The Friendship Circle is made up of five parts: volunteers, children, parents, staff, and supporters. The true beauty of the Circle is how we all link together to form a seamless circle of friendship. For more information, visit http://www.fcpalisadesmalibu.org/.