It's not widely known that Frank Sinatra had a love affair with the State of Israel. Newly found film footage dating from 1962 has provided proof of that relationship.
As the JEWNIVERSE newsletter of My Jewish Learning reported yesterday,
What does a nice Italian Catholic boy have to do with Israel? For Frank Sinatra, a sincere appreciation of the Jewish people led to a lifelong advocacy for the Jewish state.
In the film Frank Sinatra in Israel from 1962, Sinatra narrates his tour of Israel, including live footage from his concert at Tel Nof Air Force base and a scene of him watching the Independence Day parade. Among the many facets of Israeli life and culture that Sinatra appreciates, its health care system is his favorite.
Explaining the Histadrut labor movement and the leading health service Kupat Holim, Sinatra states, "If you have to get sick, Israel is the place for it."While it's unclear what sparked Sinatra's love for the Jewish people (perhaps good pal Sammy Davis Jr. won him over?) Sinatra always donated a large portion of his philanthropic efforts to the State of Israel. In 1947, he performed at an "Action for Palestine" rally, and he later donated over $1 million to Israel's Hebrew University, where there is now a Frank Sinatra International Student Center.
At the end of his 1962 film, Sinatra faces the camera and makes a plea to Americans, saying, "What happens to Israel tomorrow depends on what we do for its children today." As if saying no to those bright blue eyes wasn't hard enough, Sinatra closes the film by saying, "Shalom, shalom." Hebrew words never sounded so smooth.
Enjoy!
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ReplyDeleteAl, I don't know how and where you find some of these gems, other than through a lot of work, though I did see this one popped up on YouTube. This is a great one as Frank was as strong a supporter of Israel as the country ever has had. I have limited edition recordings of his concerts in Israel and know that he had a building named in his honor at the Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem and I think another at one of the hospitals.
THANK YOU, AL, FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT GIFT!!! No wonder I always loved this man and his talent (gorgeous voice and style)!!! :o)
ReplyDeleteAdela
Sinatra made a film short in 1946 that went, "What is America to me, The house I live In..." a song which asks for religious and racial understanding.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago while in London visiting a 500 year church I saw Sinatra's name inscribed as a major donor to the church on a marble slab that included many donors not from New Jersey(...maybe Jersey.)
He seemed like a just man.
Several times when I visited Hebrerw University I was thrilled to see Frank Simnatra's name on that prominent building. FRank was more then a fabulous entertainer. He was a real "mench."---Norman Wain
ReplyDeleteShalom,shalom
ReplyDeleteSing with all your pals to the angels dear Frank and thank you for your visit to my people in Israel, you really filled them with joy. Shalom dear friend and thanks for your amazing legacy, your wonderful voice.
ReplyDelete