by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Bureau Chief/Central

June 5, 2008

Watching the seemingly endless stream of marchers in Sunday’s 60th anniversary Salute to Israel Parade in Manhattan, one of the policemen controlling the crowds commented, “I never knew there were so many Jewish people in New York. And they all support Israel?”

That support was more evident than usual, in the T-shirts worn by members of each school, synagogue, or community contingent, as they trumpeted their message of devotion to Israel, its heroes, its technical and cultural achievements, its attractions, and its values.

The 43rd annual event began at 11 a.m. with a massive hora dance in the vicinity of 68th Street, and didn’t wind up until well after 5 p.m. with a ride-by of motorcyclists. The organizers had said they were expecting 100,000 participants and coordinators asked along the way said they thought that number was realistic. Ham radio operator Steve Ostrove of Elizabeth, who has helped coordinate the parade for more than 16 years, said it was the largest turnout he has ever seen.

In parade-perfect weather, that made for a jubilant experience for the participants setting out at the start of the event, buoyed by cheers from the throngs of observers along the route. For those scheduled to march later, it was a bit different as long delays tried their patience.

Waiting in the increasing heat, many said, was more tiring than the walk up Fifth Avenue to 81st Street near the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At patches along the way onlookers — some of whom had been at their spots from early in the morning — had already begun to drift away and there was an anti-climactic quiet.

The contingent from the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth was among the first to step out. The 565 students from its three schools trooped up the avenue wearing their distinctive T-shirts and carrying eye-catching banners and artful props celebrating the “Israel at 60” theme. A big contingent of Israeli Scouts marched close by.

Two busloads of Central NJ families headed in for the parade, one from Temple Emanu-El in Westfield and one from Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains. The two groups, members of an area Israel Support Committee, joined forces on 54th Street and walked together — after a two-hour wait.

The committee also includes Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim in Cranford and Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah of Clark. Committee chair Conrad Nadell said there probably would have been more participants, but those two synagogues both had big anniversary celebrations scheduled for Sunday. As others pointed out, it was also graduation day for Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union.

Maxine and Jacob Levy of Springfield were with fellow members of Beth Israel, wearing the T-shirts designed by four sixth-graders in the temple’s religious school. Jacob, an Israeli, met Maxine when she came to Israel as a student. They returned to the United States together and have made a point of marching almost every year since then. They agreed that it was one of the biggest crowds they had ever seen at the annual parade. Maxine made a point of thanking people along the way for staying around to support the latecomers.

Julia Queller and Abigail Goldring, both of Westfield, got to sit on a motorcycle, having been invited aboard by Shira Nussdorf, a singer who was part of the Chai Riders contingent. “I think it’s really important to show you can be observant and cool,” Nussdorf said.

Robin and Maurice Sabony, also of Scotch Plains, were there with their three children, Michael, 14, Gabi, 12, and five-year-old Matthew. The long wait had all of them wilting, but once they got moving, spirits revived. Gabi and her friends whooped to the cheers from the bystanders, and she ran over to high-five some of the kids among them.

The Margolins of Scotch Plains were there — Nathan, 18, Ezra, 16, Hannah, 14, and their father, Michael. Asked why they came, Nathan said, “It’s fun — and it’s important to support Israel.” He went to Israel on a Birthright trip that he said was a wonderful experience. His younger brother is going this summer for six weeks. “He wins!” Nathan said. They agreed that more time in Israel can only be a good thing.

Watching the streaming procession, one of the policemen marshalling the crowds confided that he does his best

to avoid working at some of the rowdier national parades. “But this one isn’t a problem,” he said. “There are a lot of people, but I’ve never seen any trouble.”

There were some protesters just south of Central Park, the usual gathering of pro-Palestinian and Jewish anti-Zionists who are always a presence at the parade, but neither they nor the overloaded logistics could dim the festivity of the giant march.

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