LOS ANGELES RABBI DAVID BARON TO INAUGURATE INTERNATIONALLY TELEVISED PROGRAM TEMPLE OF THE AIR" AT GALA DINNER APRIL 24TH

ENDEAVOR TO REACH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMEBOUND UNABLE TO ATTEND SYNAGOGUE ON THE HIGH HOLIDAYS CELEBRITY FUNDRAISER IN BEVERLY HILLS ON APRIL 24TH

WHEN:    • Thursday, April 24th, 2003

6:00 p.m. Cocktail reception / Photo opportunities

7:00 p.m. Dinner and Program

WHO:    

• Rabbi David Baron - Nationally renowned spiritual leader who pioneered the fusion of religion and the arts and the creator of Temple of the Air"

• Master of Ceremonies: TBA

• Expected to attend: Mary Hart, Leonard Maltin, Arthur Hiller, Sela Ward, Theodore Bikel, amongst others.

WHAT:

• The event will honor and raise funds to televise and distribute Temple of the Air," a program designed to reach hundreds of thousands unable to attend synagogue on the high holidays. Temple of the Air" brings a contemporary format to the Yom Kippur service. Complimentary DVDs will be distributed to homes for the aging and convalescent centers across the U.S.

• Also being honored at the event with the Founders Award" are Anita and Allen Kohl. The family founded KOHLs Department Stores, and this month the company opened 30 stores in California. A second Founders Award" will be given that evening to Bobbie and Bobbie Stern. Bob is a founding partner of Goldrich Kest Realty, the largest builder of homes in the state of California.

WHERE:    

• Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills

300 South Doheny Drive at Burton Way

TICKET INFO:    

• For further information, please contact Esther Adir at (310) 444-7500. The event is selling out, last minute tickets are$150 per person and are available through April 21st, 2003.

PRESS INQUIRIES:• Contact Amy Levy at ALPR at (310) 207-5577

Los Angeles, CA, April 13, 2003... Rabbi David Baron of Temple Shalom for the Arts, announced today that he will launch his program Temple of the Air" at a celebrity fundraising event on Thursday, April 24, 2003. The event will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California at 7:00 p.m.

The mission of Temple of the Air" is to offer an opportunity for hundreds of thousands homebound Jews who are unable to attend religious services synagogue to acknowledge this most sacred day of the year.

The program will reach the Jewish homebound and shut-in community with the production of the holiest Day of Atonement, the Yom Kippur Service. Temple of the Air" will attract younger viewers by bringing a contemporary format to the service, featuring well-respected performing artists. The messages of atonement, forgiveness, and remembrance will now be accessible to all.

Non-Jewish viewers will be given the opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Jewish worship and values. Many young people (ages 18-30) feel alienated from mainstream Judaism and major forms of organized" religious practice. This unique combination of Judaism and the arts will convey the message of Yom Kippur giving it a fresh meaningful perspective.

There are approximately 6 million Jews in North America. According to a recent survey of the American Jewish Committee, approximately 50% of them are not affiliated with a synagogue of any denomination.

The number of North American Jews between the ages of 85-95 is approximately 1.2 million. As many as half of them are physically restricted and unable to attend a temple. Many of the homebound live on fixed incomes and are also financially unable to afford the cost of a High Holy Day ticket at many synagogues. Additionally, there are approximately 400,000 Jews in North America who are residents of nursing homes, convalescent centers and Homes for the Aging, who are unable to attend a synagogue.

Many non-Jewish viewers will be exposed to the observance of the Day of Atonement and this will deepen their understanding of Judaism. For the unchurched non-Jewish viewer, the program will enlighten them to a religion they may find worthy of further exploration.

About Rabbi Baron

Rabbi David Baron is a nationally renowned spiritual leader who pioneered the fusion of religion and the arts in his career in the pulpit. His religious leadership has touched the lives of thousands of Jews throughout his community.

As the rabbi of the largest entertainment industry temple in Los Angeles, his uniquely creative services draw capacity attendances. Temple Shalom for the Arts has become over the past decade, a destination for those seeking a memorable and spiritually uplifting experience. He delivers inspirational sermons at his services at the Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills that are often broadcast on television.

Founded in 2002, Temple of the Air" was designed to reach hundreds of thousands of Jews unable or unwilling to attend synagogue on the most sacred day of the year. The program will bring a contemporary format to the Yom Kippur service. The messages of atonement, forgiveness, and remembrance will be made available and accessible to all.

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