From Darkness to Light: The 'Friends of Chabad' Forges Ahead to Deliver Inspiration, Exploration & Joy
Two Rabbis, a major Hollywood producer, and an Oscar-winner actor walk into a room… But no, it’s not the setup for a lighthearted laugh. It’s the beginning of a momentous interfaith movement with the ability to soften hearts, expand minds, and shed light on a rapidly darkening world. These are the fine threads that weave the fabric of the Friends of Chabad.
“Our mission is to transform anything we encounter that has darkness into something that has light,” Rabbi Levi Cunnin, Rabbi of the Chabad of Malibu and one of the hosts of the Friends of Chabad, explains of the new JLTV series.
At its core, the Friends of Chabad shares a mission with the entire Chabad-Lubavitch movement: to shed light into the world in the form of community, knowledge, and the ancient wisdom of the Torah. Episode by episode, the genial new show warms the heart and feeds the soul by exploring the unique facets of one of the 5,000 Chabads that serve their communities across the globe.
Created and hosted by celebrated producer and entrepreneur Steven Paul, Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight, and powerhouse brothers Rabbi Levi Cunin of the Chabad of Malibu and Rabbi Chaim Cunin, CEO of Chabad California, the Friends of Chabad explores the origins of Chabad, the teachings and philosophies of the organization, the idea of always engaging in acts of kindness, and the movement’s ongoing mission to transform darkness into light.
“This show is the brainchild of Jon and Steven, but it’s clear to me that this came from heaven,” Rabbi Chaim Cumin explained of the show’s inception. “Every little detail came from above, without question. Even though the room was set up in four minutes, it’s perfect.”
“It came at an important time. It’s needed right now. There is great separation between humanity; the world has never been so polarized. Our show shares joy, light, wisdom, and laughter. It makes this journey more meaningful, more purposeful.”
For those who may be unfamiliar with Chabad-Lubavitch, it is a movement more than 250 years in the making that seeks to bridge gaps in local communities to foster growth and uplift people. One of the most recognized and arguably the most dynamic force in the Hasidic community, Chabad-Lubavitch at its core creates community centers that spread the wisdom and charitable spirit of the Torah to all those who seek it.
The word ‘Chabad’ itself is an acronym comprised of the Hebrew words for three key concepts: chochmah, binah, and da’at. Respectively, they translate to wisdom, comprehension, and knowledge.
“I heard [recently] that we are a soul, we have a body,” Rabbi Levi Cunin shares. “It’s interesting because that’s sort of the core of what we teach. When our entire being is in touch with our deeper self, everything changes. Our lives become about other people, and that’s what Chabad is about.”
As an integral part of the show from steadfast pre-production research to helping host episodes, Rabbi Levi Cunnin is one whom you might aptly apply that prophetic notion ‘was born to do this.’ Born into the very Cunin family that pioneered the establishment of Jewish communities across California in the 60s and fostered the West Coast’s thriving Chabad network, both he and his brother Chaim Cunin were taught from an early age the deeper meaning of Chabad, and the importance of fostering the movement for generations to come.
Chabad is not simply reserved for those of the Jewish faith, though. As co-creator and host Jon Voight, a Catholic himself, puts it, Chabad can serve as the foundation of a beautiful friendship for all those with open minds and hearts.
“I’m so proud of my friendship with the Chabad,” Voight explained. “I came into this circle many years ago when a Rabbi [Shlomo Cunin] did a favor for me. He said, ‘Not only will I give you the Temple, but I will throw in this coffee and danish, too!’”
“The first time I met with Levi and Chaim’s father, I could tell he was such an extraordinary person,” Voight explained of Rabbis Levi and Chaim’s father, Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, who founded and has severed as the director of West Coast Chabad since 1965. “They were so modest, there was no money for show. It’s all real. I went to [the Chabad], they had nothing but a couch in the room... and then they ended up giving the couch to someone in need. They are truly people helping people.”
With a laugh, Voight added, “Their father pulled me into this group of dancing rabbis, and that was it. That was my introduction to the Chabad.”
“Jon is what we call ‘the righteous gentile!” Paul added.
That’s just the thing about Chabad: while it is deeply rooted in the Jewish faith, it is not at all exclusive to those of that religion. All are welcome. Always.
“In Chabad, you don’t have to be a member. The door is open to everyone,” Rabbi Levi Cunin said. “The message is not just for Jewish people, but for all human beings. The more that embrace it, the more light will happen.”
“At its core, it is a house of light. A light that is willing to serve anyone willing to come and learn, including those outside the Jewish faith.”
Of course, this is only the beginning for the Friends of Chabad. After airing its debut episode on JLTV in late Sept. 2020, the show aims to march forward until each and every Chabad has its own dedicated episode.
“We have filmed 20 episodes: Australia, Thailand, Israel, Germany, France, Italy, England among others,” Paul shared of the show’s plans. “And we have 5,000 Chabads to go.”
Curious to know more? Visit the Friends of Chabad for more information, and tune in for all-new episodes every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET only on JLTV.
