SOMERS-TIME from page 69

by passing on information to one
another so that we can all keep mov-
ing forward. When I found a way to
eat incredible food and not gain any
weight, it seems to me it would have
been wrong to hold that information
in. When I wrote the books about the
effects of alcoholism, I felt it would
have been wrong not to share that.
Passing on how I turned my life
around has given meaning to my
fame. People come to listen, and,
hopefully, they will have learned
something and maybe they won't have
to go through it in the same harsh
way that I did.

JN: Do you feel pressured to always

look top-drawer because of your
book and video on fitness?
SS: It's so much pressure. We just
went for lunch, and the key lime pie
came for dessert. I wanted it, and I
ate it. Now I have to exercise so
hard to get rid of it. It wasn't so hard
to look good when I was in my 20s,
but once you turn 50, it all gets
harder. I have a responsibility to stay
in shape whether I'm in the mood to
do it or not because I prescribe an
eating program — and over a million
people are doing it in this country —
and because I have a line of fitness
equipment.

JN: Do you practice Judaism?
SS: We celebrate everything at our
house. I was raised a Catholic, but I'm
no longer Catholic: My husband is
very culturally Jewish, and I love the
culture. It's a big part of my life. I do
an incredible seder, and I would
match my brisket up against any-
body's. We also light the Chanukah
candles. II

Suzanne Somers will speak for
"Choices" Wednesday, March 3, at
Adat Shalom Synagogue. The
afternoon program begins at 11
a.m. A kosher lunch is included.
Reservations deadline is Feb. 15. A
minimum contribution of 5180 to
the Allied Jewish Campaign is
required along with a 525 admis-
sion fee. Reservations must be
accompanied by a check made
payable to the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, and
mailed to Choices, P.O. Box 2030,
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-
2030. For more information, call
Esther Weitzman at Federation,
(248) 642-4260, Ext. 181.

Reaching For The Stars

Jewish groups use celebrities to attract younger generations.

PETER EPHROSS

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

S

uzanne Somers, who will
speak at the 1999 Women's
lied Jewish Campaign
Choices luncheon March 3 at
Adat Shalom Synagogue, is just one
of an increasing number of celebrities
participating in Jewish fund-raisers
across the country.
These celebrity icons are members
of a new wave of celebrities — both
Jewish and non-Jewish — that Jewish
groups are using to appeal to the
younger generations.
It's no secret that Jewish organiza-
tions, facing both dwindling and aging
memberships, are looking to appeal to
baby boomers, Generation X-ers and
even college students to keep their
rolls, budgets and programs strong..
Organizers are employing a num-
ber of methods to do so and among
them is engaging celebrities who
appeal to their target groups.
Indeed, a newspaper ad for an
upcoming fund-raiser for the Allied
Jewish Federation of Colorado featur-
ing the singer Neil Sedaka touts,
"Bring back the fun and exuberance
of the '60s with one of America's
greatest
singer/songwriters.
b
b
b
There appear to be at least two dif-
ferent substantive reasons that compel
a Jewish celebrity to appear on behalf
of a Jewish organization.
Some seem to be born into their
involvement in Jewish causes. Henry
Winkler, the actor who played the
Fonz on the 1970s TV hit "Happy
Days" and who has spoken at federa-
tion events in several cities, including
Detroit, is the son of Holocaust sur-
vivors.
For others, it's a Jewish experience.
In the case of Jason Alexander, the
Tony Award-winning actor who played
George Costanza on "Seinfeld," it was
a 1992 trip to Israel sponsored by the
Anti-Defamation League.
Last May, Alexander addressed the
American Jewish Committee by video,
during which he chided the group for
holding its annual meeting the same
night that the last episode of
"Seinfeld" aired. He's also narrated a
film for the ADL — and in 1994, he
donated his winnings from a celebrity
episode of the televison game show

"Jeopardy" to the organization.
cials at Jewish organizations said
Alexander was quoted at the time
celebrities are vitally important in the
as saying his trip to Yad Vashem in
attempt to reach audiences who nor-
Jerusalem was a "life-changing experi-
mally might tune out their message.
,,
ence.
"Every ad campaign is targeted.
And there's another, more expedi-
You try to reach a specific group,"
ent reason that convinces celebrities
says the director of communications
to appear for Jewish organizations,
and marketing at the ADL, Mark
particularly those without a personal
Edelman, referring to the "Friends"
identification with Judaism.
ads. Using celebrity spokespersons
admired by younger people "makes
The connection to convince the
getting the message out a lot easier
stars of the NBC sitcom "Friends" to
make a series of
ADL announce-
ments on behalf of
tolerance, which
have already begun
airing on the MTV
music network,
came from one of
the show's produc-
ers. The "someone
knows someone
Jewish who's with
the show" link can
frequently bear
fruit.
Using public
Clockwise from top le
figures to attract
The cast of "Friends": Making
crowds at Jewish
an announcement.
fund-raisers is
nothing novel. A
Jason Alexander:
recent search
Motivated by a trip to Israel.
through archives at
Henry Winkler: The son o f
the offices of UJA-
Holocaust survivors speaks out.
Federation of New
York turned up
for us. No person wants to be lec-
photos of the actress Lucille Ball,
tured or told that he or she needs to
Wizard of Oz star Ray Bolger and the
be more tolerant."
sportscaster Howard Cosell appearing
The use of celebrities is unlikely to
at events sponsored by the federation.
attract a whole new set of younger
With the help of stars such as the
members overnight. But in an age of
singer Lena Horne and the actor
celebrity culture, when people seem to
Edward G. Robinson, the Chanukah
know more about Hollywood and
celebrations sponsored by Israel
sports stars than their next-door neigh-
Bonds filled New York's Madison
bor, Jewish groups are betting that
Square Garden from 1952 to 1988.
celebrity appearances are worth a shot.
Posters advertising the annual
When the Hillel chapter at the
event were put up in subways, and
University of Arizona searched for a
many politicians made sure to put in
celebrity to star at a benefit perfor-
an appearance.
mance this month, one name stood
"It put Israel Bonds on the map,"
out above all others: that of Alexander.
says Shragai Cohen, who is currently a
"It sends a message to our stu-
consultant for the organization. With
dents," says Michelle Blumenberg,
the pride of someone who has worked
director of the school's Hillel chapter.
for the organization since 1951 he
"If a big-name celebrity is involved in
added, "We created Chanukah.
the Jewish community, why don't I
Jewish organizations today seem to
get involved? Maybe there's some-
have less ambitious goals than putting
thing, really cool about it."
a Jewish holiday on the map, but offi-

O

))

2/12
1999

Detroit Jewish News

75

