Latke Eating Contest Featured on Live Chanukah Telethon on December 13

Online, November 9, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Has Rabbi Perl flipped? No -- But the Lubavitcher who heads the Chabad of Mineola on Long Island will be seen in his bright yellow apron and large white chef's hat frying latkes for the first International Kosher Latke Eating Contest, to be featured on the 17th annual live Chanukah Telethon. The fundraiser will air Sunday, December 13th, 7 - 11 PM on WLNY TV 10/55 and reach viewers on L.I. and in the tri-state area with a simultaneous web cast at: www.chanukahtelethon.com.

Eight contestants will have three minutes to eat as many latkes as they can while a scorekeeper known as a "Latke-ette"counts the number of latkes consumed. The top three winners will receive Chanukah gelt in the amounts of $ 360 for first prize, $250 for second prize and $ 180 for the third prize. Rabbi Perl will present all contestants with gifts, such as menorahs, books and silver coins. Anyone interested in participating in the contest should send an email to: KosherLatkeEatingContest@gmail.com.

"I created the Kosher Latke Eating Contest to bring lightheartedness and joy into people's lives that is part of this happy holiday," says Rabbi Perl. To warm up his culinary skills, celebrity Chef Jeff Nathan, of Abigail's restaurant in NYC, showed Rabbi Perl how to make the world's best latkes. Telethon viewers will see a video of Chefs Perl and Nathan that also includes a latke recipe.

The latke draws its origin from the Ukrainian potato pancake. It is the dish most associated with Chanukah in the United States. Foods fried in oil symbolize the miraculous burning of a small amount of pure oil in the Menorah for eight days, that should have only lasted for one day, in the Holy Temple until new oil was prepared.

This year, Rabbi Perl's goal is to raise $500,000 to further expand the charitable programs offered by the Chabad of Mineola. The Chanukah Telethon fun and festivities will include Rocking DJ Mickey B, and entertainers including the Chassidic "Dancing Rabbis, juggler, comedian, mentalist David Levitan and others.

A free raffle drawing with many fabulous prizes will be awarded. To enter, send an email with your name, address and phone number to: ChanukahTelethonRaffle@gmail.com.

On the program, three local teenagers will be admitted into the Good Deeds Hall of Fame and honored for continuing their work helping those who are less fortunate. Larry Slatky, Executive Vice President of the Nassau University Medical Center will be recognized for helping children with special needs.

Viewers will see video footage of the burial of the time capsule that took place last spring on the grounds of Chabad of Mineola when the sun was in the same position in the sky as the first day of creation, which occurs every 28 years. Rabbi Perl asked young children to insert papers describing what they aspire to be in 28 years, the next time this will happen. A membership list of the synagogue was also inserted.

During the past year, Rabbi Perl initiated and expanded his programs to help those who have fallen through the cracks of Judaism and those who are in need. For example, he partnered with Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, to open a Sabbath House so observant Jews have a place to stay within walking distance of the shul.

He is also increasing his work at the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow to now include women in his Jewish Education Hour. Every week challah and grape juice is delivered to the jail by Chabad of Mineola. For Chanukah, they are also planning to deliver latkes.

In conjunction with the national Cars for Clunkers program, Rabbi Perl had his own "Seat for Clunkers" that was seen on WNBC TV. For those who donated a car, they received a tax deduction and two free front row ticket s for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur at Chabad of Mineola.

"Despite our hardship this year having to deal with an anti-Semitic attack on our shul, we cannot allow cynicism and hatred to dampen our spirits," says Rabbi Perl. "Our goal is to continue helping those who need money due to foreclosures, bankruptcy, job loss and further expand our charitable work," explains Rabbi Perl. "Parents of our Hebrew School children call us every day asking for help and moral support, and we want to be there for them."

Some of the programs supported by the Chanukah Telethon include:
Good Deed Awards for Teenagers
Drug and Aids Prevention Outreach
Toys for Hospitalized Children
Hospital Visitation to the Lonely
Children's Matzah Factory
Bar/Bat Mitzvah for the Unaffiliated... and many others.

For more information on the Chanukah Telethon, contact Rabbi Perl at 516-739-3636