Frank Sinatra and Jewish activism
Frank Sinatra was a longtime supporter of Jewish causes in the United States and in Israel. He was often described as a lifelong sympathizer with Jewish causes. He also spoke out against prejudice and worked to help Jews during the Holocaust and the creation of Israel.
Early life and attitudes
As a boy, Sinatra had Jewish neighbors who influenced him. Mrs. Golden, a Jewish neighbor who babysat him, spoke to him in Yiddish and shared treats. Sinatra wore a mezuzah given by her for many years. He stood up to racism and would confront slurs when he heard them.
Support for Jews during World War II and after
Sinatra helped raise awareness about the Holocaust. When Nazi crimes reached the United States, he ordered medallions showing Saint Christopher on one side and the Star of David on the other to be made and given to soldiers and others who helped him. He joined a 1943 national tour aimed at drawing attention to the Holocaust, and in 1945 he starred in a short film, The House I Live In, about antisemitism and religious tolerance. The film won special recognition and was later added to the National Film Registry.
Backing Israel and the Zionist movement
Sinatra supported the creation of the State of Israel. In 1947 he performed at a rally against the Partition Plan at the Hollywood Bowl. In 1948, he became involved in a secret operation in New York City to help the Haganah, Israel’s pre-state defense group, smuggle arms to Palestine. The operation involved moving money to a ship in a way that avoided U.S. authorities, according to one account.
Israel on his world tour
In 1962, Sinatra visited Israel as part of a World Tour for Children that raised money for kids’ charities around the world. He gave seven concerts in six Israeli cities and spoke in support of Israel. While in Nazareth, he bought land to help build an intercultural youth center for Arab and Israeli children and donated the profits from his Israeli concerts to the project. He said he wanted to help and saw the young nation as an example of people overcoming hardship.
Continued fundraising and philanthropy
Back in the United States, Sinatra kept raising money for Jewish causes. After the Six-Day War in 1967, he helped raise about $2.5 million for Israel, contributing personally. In 1972 he helped raise $6.5 million in bond pledges for Israel, and in 1975 he announced a personal donation of $250,000 to Israel Bonds in memory of a Hoboken neighbor. He supported the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with fundraising events and helped open the Frank Sinatra International Student Center in 1978.
Collaboration with Simon Wiesenthal
Sinatra first met Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal in 1979 and told him he had admired him for years. When Wiesenthal’s center sought support for a documentary called Genocide, Sinatra offered $100,000 and later helped raise more money. He joined the center’s board of trustees and appeared at events that helped fund the film, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1981.
Bans and controversy
Because of his strong support for Israel, Sinatra faced boycotts. The Arab League banned his recordings and films in 1962, saying he helped raise funds for Israel. Lebanon officially barred him from entry in 1964 because of his support for Israel. Some bans persisted in the region for years, even though political ties shifted.
Later life and legacy
In 1995, on his 80th birthday, Sinatra traveled to Israel and the surrounding region with friends. There are accounts of him being honored in Israel, including stories about a symbolic gift connected to his relationship with the country. Across decades, Sinatra used his fame to raise money for Jewish causes, support education, and stand against prejudice.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:17 (CET).