April 21, 2005 Elton John raises money for needy Israeli students By URIEL HEILMAN NEW YORK What does Elton John have to do with a little kid from Beit Shean? On Tuesday night, the legendary rock star came to New York's posh Waldorf-Astoria hotel to help raise funds for disadvantaged Israeli students in Beit Shean and dozens of other poor Israeli towns and neighborhoods, at the annual benefit of the International Sephardic Educational Foundation. Sir Elton was one of several celebrities on hand for the benefit that raised more than $1 million for ISEF's programs, which provide millions of dollars in scholarships and educational materials to poor Israeli students from all ethnic backgrounds. ISEF was founded in 1977 by the late banking tycoon Edmond J. Safra and his wife Lily, whose friendship with John occasioned the singer's attendance and concert. "I love her to death," John said of Lily Safra in between songs. Playing his music at the ISEF benefit, John said, "is a great honor for me." Wearing an unorthodox suit with a leopard print on the front and back, a large sparkling cross around his neck, and his signature dark purple sunglasses, John played a set of eight or nine songs for the 650 or so diners at the black-tie affair. He dedicated a rendition of "Candle in the Wind" to Lily Safra, who hosted the dinner, and also included a moving tribute to the late Ray Charles. ISEF officials said John gave the concert pro bono. "Good Morning America" anchor Diane Sawyer emceed the event, and veteran auctioneer Francois Curiel, of Christie's Europe, raised several hundred thousand dollars in just a few minutes during the dinner by auctioning off sponsorships for scholarships, textbooks, computers and science-enrichments programs for Israeli students and soldiers. Elton John was one of the buyers, paying $6,500 to donate schoolbooks to Israeli children who cannot afford them. Originally founded for the children of Sephardi families, today ISEF's clients are about 75 percent Sephardi, and all come from disadvantaged homes. ISEF's programs range from study grants for doctoral students studying at US universities to home computer purchases for Israeli elementary-school students from families that cannot afford to buy computers. The organization also runs after-school programs in Israeli development towns and distressed city neighborhoods. ISEF is one of many organizations supported by the Safra family, which is of Lebanese extraction. Edmond Safra, who expanded the family's fortune from the millions into the billions, died in 1999 in a fire in his Monte Carlo home.