Chabad telethon touts local talent
On an unusually cold night on Dec. 18, in the fields of Islip, a television production studio was rocking a mix of Yiddish classics, reggae and a bagpiper for Rabbi Anchelle Perl, highlighting the numerous causes in which he has sunk his efforts. “It’s an unbelievably huge undertaking,” said musical director Steve Bill. “It’s filling up four hours of broadcast time live and motivating people to pledge”
Down the hall from the studio, Far Rockaway resident Rabbi Yitzy Bald practiced with his 14-member New York Boys Choir for their first-ever Telethon appearance. “Every motion interprets a word of the songs. Choreography is very extensive and theatrical,” Rabbi Bald said. Alongside his role as a coach for the choir, his songwriting resume includes top names including Dovid Gabay, Mordechai Ben Dovid and Avraham Fried.
In another room, a family band from Far Rockaway was practicing while recording their music onto a laptop. “There is nothing people want more than entertainment. This is why last year Rabbi Perl rode in to the telethon on a motorcycle in a leather jacket,” said Yosaif Krohn He understands that people will tune into this.”
Rabbi Perl’s other past fundraising antics include piloting a hot air balloon, driving a racecar on Jones Beach, and holding a Jewish wedding ceremony on air for a couple wishing to renew their vows by the laws of Moses and Israel.
Broadcast on WLNY TV10/55, the pre-Chanukah benefit raked in $498,205 for Chabad’s National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education and Chabad of Mineola, both of which are chaired by Rabbi Perl. Within his local Chabad House, programs include hospital and prison chaplaincy, holocaust education, and assistance for the unemployed. Rabbi Perl noted that funds going to Chabad benefit Jews and non-Jews, as exemplified in his annual Good Deed Awards, which are open to Long Island youths of all backgrounds.
The Telethon was not entirely entertainment; it highlighted beneficiaries of the funds, including domestic abuse survivors, two of whom testified on Rabbi Perl’s counseling as a member of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Abuse. Actors reenacted their ordeals in graphic short films.
Among the musicians, bagpiper Corey McCluskey was asked by emcee Mickey B whether he had a Bar Mitzvah. A Catholic, McCluskey was discovered by Rabbi Perl at a 9/11 ceremony, and asked to perform at the Telethon. His parents stood alongside younger Chabad rabbis, sharing in their joy at their son’s first telethon, which reaches an audience of 10 million.
Looking at posters of past telethons in the studio hallway, Rabbi Leibel Cohen pointed out that each year the set design is different. He has been a “dancing rabbi” at the show for 12 years, flying in from California to reconnect with his mentor. “He gives himself over to everything that he does,” Rabbi Cohen said. “Everyone feels that he is their personal rabbi.” On the poster from five years ago, Rabbi Yossi Mendelson of Forest Hills dances with other rabbis. Rabbi Cohen remembered him as a learning partner and camp counselor. “We’re like one big family,” Rabbi Cohen said.
East Meadow resident Joseph Rothkowitz, 25, remembered becoming childhood events with Rabbi Perl. “On his Matzah Factory, he transformed local supermarkets. We all knew him as kids.” Together with bandmates from Long Beach West Hempstead and Far Rocakway, Rothkowitz’s band RockaZion blends reggae with Jewish spiritual themes.
Among the emcees announcing the pledge results, Oceanside resident Kive Strickoff praised Rabbi Perl for his ability to reinvent the message of giving. “He brings everyone form all walks of life together, across the spectrum He identifies with the people of this island.”
