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Fifth Avenue in New York City was a sea of blue and white during the Israel on Fifth parade on May 31, and Hadassah made waves.
About 30 Hadassah leaders and members marched with big smiles and huge joy, raising signs with pro-Israel sentiments like “Am Yisrael Chai” and “Hadassah Stands With Israel,” fully embracing the parade’s theme, Proud Americans, Proud Zionists.
They marched alongside the American Zionist Movement float, where Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz and past National President Ellen Hershkin stood proudly, Israeli flags in hand, alongside other top Jewish leaders.
“Since October 7, 2023, antisemitism has spiked in the US and around the world,” said Schwartz. “Still, fear never deters Hadassah from standing with Israel and participating in events like Israel Day on Fifth.”
Leading the Hadassah group from behind a Hadassah Lifechanging banner was this year’s volunteer lead Hadassah Zionist Affairs Vice Chair Stephanie Z. Bonder. “This was the perfect fit for my Zionist activism,” said Bonder, who has been marching or spectating at the parade for about 40 years.
“The highlight of this year’s parade was the energy and ruach (spirit),” she said of the display of American and Israeli flags, singing, dancing and pro-Israel chants, as well as solidarity from Christians, Muslims and Druze marching in support of Israel.
“We were loud and proud,” she said of Hadassah.
“Hadassah marchers are always there to support Israel and Sunday was no exception.”
