Marching to salute Israel and unity
Five hundred students from grades four through 12 at Hillel Yeshiva in Ocean Township joined thousands of marchers in the 43rd annual Salute to Israel Parade in New York City on May 6.
Since it originated in 1964, the parade has been a public affirmation of solidarity with, and support of, the State of Israel, as well as an expression of unity within the American-Jewish community. Organizers estimated that some 100,000 participated in the parade this year, whose theme was "Israel Lights Up Our Lives."
The parade featured costumed marchers from public and private schools and groups from Jewish organizations and community centers. Among the participating dignitaries were New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski.
Ten buses were needed to transport the yeshiva students to the Fifth Avenue parade route that stretched from 57th to 79th streets, according to Dr. Ruth Katz, Hillel Yeshiva's head of school, preschool through eighth grade. The yeshiva has been part of the Salute to Israel Parade for 19 years, Katz said.
The yeshiva students, who wore royal blue T-shirts bearing the slogan "Arise and Shine – Illumination," carried a 
20-foot-long banner that bore the same phrase. Other yeshiva students and family members rode on the school's 30-foot float, which carried the same message.
The illumination theme was conceived by Katz and members of the yeshiva's faculty.
"This concept was reflected on the T-shirts, on the banner, and on the float, which were all designed by faculty members and students," Katz said. "We see the light of God's Torah shining forth from the Ten Commandments, illuminating our lives. This is Israel's message to the world: God, the Torah, and Israel are one!
"To Jews the world over, Israel says 'Kumi, ori' – arise and shine! Glow with the light of the Torah and Eretz Yisrael," she continued. "It's what connects us all."
The sentiments of solidarity and joy expressed by the parade participants and the huge numbers of spectators who lined the parade route to cheer them along were evidence of the enormous support the American-Jewish community feels toward Israel, said Rabbi Howard Bald, head of Hillel Yeshiva's high school.
"As you walked down this Fifth Avenue valley that was framed by large buildings and throngs of supporters, you were immediately aware of a strong connection with the American-Jewish community," Bald said. "It was exhilarating."
As in previous years, the Hillel family came together to coordinate the school's participation in the parade, Katz said.
"It's a community effort," she said. "The parade is a way in which we can teach our students how to show their own solidarity with Israel. It makes Israel come alive for them."
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