Welcome to the Family
Catch all-new episodes every Tuesday at 6PT/8CT/9ET only on JLTV
The ‘Friends of Chabad’ is a new series that takes you on an entertaining and spiritual adventure to Chabads around the world! Chabad is one of the largest Hasidic groups and Jewish religious organizations in the world, tracing its origins back to the late 18th century.
Today the movement runs more than 5,000 centers around the world including synagogues, schools and community centers, and provides outreach and educational activities for the Jewish community and more.
In each episode, hosts Jon Voight, Steven Paul, and Rabbis Chaim and Levi Cunin explore the origins of Chabad, the teachings & philosophies of the organization, the idea of always engaging in acts of kindness, and the movement’s ongoing mission to transform darkness into light. ‘Friends of Chabad’ will take you on a journey of discovery, enlightenment, and joy!
Meet the team.
Jon Voight
Academy Award winning actor Jon Voight is along for the journey too, as he shares his story of how he came to be a friend of Chabad.
A lifelong Catholic, Jon’s connection to Jewish people began during his childhood in Yonkers, New York, when he started caddying at a local German-Jewish country club. This would ignite an interest that would lead Jon to pursue Jewish studies during a period of “spiritual seeking” in the 1980s, further leading to an introduction to Chabad’s West Coast director at the time – Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin – and an appearance on their 1986 telethon.
“Regardless of race or creed, they will help anyone. If you are someone who is interested in goodness and kindness from any stride, whether religious or not, there is something here for you”, he shared.
Throughout his illustrious acting career, Voight has shared a lifelong friendship with Paul, and now, together, they embark on this journey of light with Rabbis Chaim and Levi Cunin.
Steven Paul
Steven Paul is an actor/producer/director and entrepreneur. He began acting at the age of six, and wrote & directed his first short film aged nine. At the age of 12, Steven’s work was endorsed by novelist Kurt Vonnegut. That same year, Steven started his own video tape production company. By 19, he became the youngest filmmaker to write, produce, and direct a motion picture; ‘Falling In Love Again’ starring Elliott Gould, Susannah York, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Steven himself.
Today, Steven is a leading independent feature film and television producer, and has made more than 100 motion pictures, including ‘Ghost Rider’ starring Nicolas Cage, and ‘Ghost In The Shell’ starring Scarlett Johannson.
“Regardless of race or creed, they will help anyone. If you are someone who is interested in goodness and kindness from any stride, whether religious or not, there is something here for you.”
— Jon Voight