Simon Cowell Performs at Israel Defense Forces Fundraiser
October 24, 2013
The American Friends of the IDF organization (FIDF) branch in Los Angeles held its annual fundraiser in the Beverly Hilton hotel and raised a record number of $20 million for IDF soldiers’ welfare.
Some 1,200 guests attended the event, among them successful businessmen, IDF top brass and Simon Cowell, the tough judge on shows such as American Idol, The X Factor and The Next Big Thing, who agreed to put his dignity on the line for a the cause by singing in public
According to the Daily Mail, the event’s host, billionaire Power Rangers creator Haim Saban, offered to make a $1 million donation if Cowell sang the show’s theme tune with him.
The 54-year-old British star, delighted the packed room of guests after he accepted the challenge. Midway through his performance of Ron Wasserman’s Go Go Power Rangers, Simon jokingly offered to donate $100,000 of his own money if he was allowed to stop. Saban then agreed he could stop singing for $250,000.
Cowell was not the only star teased into song, and singer Lionel Richie gave a rare performance to loosen the attendees’ purse strings.
The larger donations were given by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, who gave $4.5 million, by Haim Saban, who gave $2.3 million, and by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who gave $1 million.
The event was also attended by 15 IDF soldiers, two of which, brothers Adi and Tamir Lerner, lone soldiers who serve in Golani and in the Paratroopers, were flown in especially and supplied a heart-wrenching moment when they surprised their parents, who attended the event.
Similar posts
-
Israel: Small Size, Big Impact
March 21, 2024Nestled along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a land of immense historical sig...
-
Israelis Are Fighting For Their Lives
February 21, 2024By Jonathan S. Tobin The world looks a lot different from Kibbutz Kfar Aza than it does in the U...
-
Over 2 Million Arabs Live In Israel
January 23, 2024In the complex landscape of the Middle East, where diverse cultures and identities intersect, Israe...
-
'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Injured Fighting in Gaza
January 8, 2024Despite the severity of his injuries, Amedi's father assured Israeli news channels that his life is...
-
Israel Is A Great Country To Live In
December 28, 2023Nestled at the crossroads of the Middle East, Israel stands as a vibrant and dynamic nation, offeri...
-
Dear World: I Don't Care
November 2, 2023By Avi Lewis I don’t care that you sympathize with Hamas I know you wouldn’t tolerate any of ...
-
Stand With Israel!
October 17, 2023Stand with Israel. Don't stand with the extreme terror organization Hamas. This is a war about huma...
-
Israel Thanks You For Your Support
October 13, 2023Israel extends its heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you, dear friends and supporters, f...