Frank Sinatra, who was born Dec. 12, 1915, had a love for the Jewish people that goes back to his early childhood in Hoboken, N.J. Sinatra’s mother many times left young Frank with a Jewish friend by the name of Mrs. Golden. For a special occasion, Mrs. Golden presented Sinatra, then a child, with a mezuzah as a gift — which he wore around his neck his entire life.
When Mrs. Golden was honored by Israel Bonds at her synagogue, Sinatra bought $250,000 worth of bonds in her honor.
When the Israeli underground was working in the United States to raise money to form the State of Israel, Sinatra acted as a middleman to transfer much-needed funds. He visited Israel numerous times not only to perform and raise money for Israel but also to learn more about the people he considered his brothers and sisters. Jerusalem’s Hebrew University named its student center after him. Sadly, the building was destroyed by a bomb in 2002 during the intifada.
The Jewish community should remember Sinatra on Dec. 12, his 100th birthday, because he did so much for the Jewish people and our beloved State of Israel.
Flushing, Queens
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