“The beneficent soul shall be made rich, and he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.” (Proverbs 11:25)

Wealthy British entertainer, Simon Cowell, attended a recent fundraiser dinner for the American Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) in Los Angeles.  He amused guests and raised a whopping additional $.251 million for the event when he accepted a challenge from event host and Power Rangers cartoon creator Haim Saban to sing the show’s theme song in exchange for the donation.

The dinner was attended by 1,200 guests, including top IDF officials and successful businessmen.  According to the Daily Mail, Saban offered Cowell, most recognized as the callous judge of reality talent shows such as American Idol and The X Factor, a $1 million donation to the cause if he would sing.  Cowell agreed, but after a few lines asked if he could stop in exchange for a donation of his own, to the tune of $100,000.  Saban countered he could quit if he made it $250,000.  The event raised a record $20 million overall, with the largest donations coming from Saban, who gave $2.3 million total, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, who gave $4.5 million, and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who gave $1 million.  Singer Lionel Richie also gave a rare performance to encourage donations.

Also at the dinner were 15 IDF soldiers, including two brothers, Adi and Tamir Lerner, lone soldiers from the Golani and Paratrooper brigades.  The brothers were flown in for the fundraiser, where they surprised their family in a touching reunion.