A shared bond of unity on New York’s Fifth Avenue
Have you ever seen kids jostling for a preferred place in line? That’s what it’s like when I try to say what was my favorite part of the Israel on Fifth parade.
Was it the sea of American and Israeli flags held high and waved proudly?
The floats… the bands… the spontaneous singing of Am Yisrael Chai?
The 62 years of this parade marching down New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue? I remember participating all through my high school years, riding on my school’s float, and later attending as a spectator until I decamped to the other coast. I was talking to my daughter on the phone this morning as I watched the parade broadcast, when suddenly I shrieked, “ There’s my school!” It was a thrill to see current students marching in my school colors, alongside young people from 250 schools and synagogues. They came from all over the greater NY area and as far away as Los Angeles.
The participation of UN Ambassadors from Bulgaria, Hungary, Argentina, Kenya, Nigeria, Israel, and other countries?
Seeing New York’s Jewish Police Commissioner, Jessica Tisch, marching proudly at the head of the parade, after assuring New York that there would be very heavy, multi-layered security? I could hear the police helicopters overhead and see many uniformed officers mingling with the marchers. Sad that we need it, great that we had it.
The celebration of global Jewish unity was so energizing, uplifting, and heartwarming. That was it… the shared bond of unity among the many, varied Jewish participants and our non-Jewish allies. There have been Christians and Hindus participating before. This year, for the first time, there was a small Muslim group in the mix. “It’s electric here today,” observed one of the broadcasters.
Oh, and let’s not forget the camels. Seriously. There were two camels. Possibly three, two of which looked alike. (Can you tell one camel from the other?) The camera swept from one side to the other continually, so I didn’t see them all at the same time. In case you wondered, they were closely followed by sweepers.
Then there were the Ice Cats, a Jewish hockey team for observant kids. No games or practice on Shabbat or holidays. And Chai Riders, a Jewish motorcycle club, riding proudly. Quaker City String Band in incredible, elaborate, old-fashioned costumes. Barynya (pronounced Berenia), a Russian folk ensemble with music, dancing, and beautiful costumes, singing songs from Russia and Ukraine, as well as from the traditions of Jews and Roma.
From babies in front packs to elderly Holocaust survivors sitting in the shade of a roofed float, to Blacks, Whites, Asians, and Middle Easterners, we were all there.
Am Yisrael Chai!
–Esther Baruch
