New York City’s Celebrate Israel Parade is going to take an out-of-this-world twist this year — with a sneak peek at a space capsule that Israel is designing to send to the moon, along with dozens of new attractions.
The popular pro-Israel parade, which began as an impromptu stroll down Riverside Drive in 1964, has exploded into a globally broadcast event, with hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators.
The organizers hope this year’s event will be the most spectacular representation of Israeli pride yet. To achieve that, they need help raising money from donations and securing sponsors for this year’s 50th anniversary event.
“It’s a real milestone. Thousands of people enjoy this parade every year and, if they want to continue to see to see it, any contribution would be greatly appreciated,” said organizer Michael Miller, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, which puts on the parade.
Plans for the parade, which is set for June 1, include the first-ever “cultural festival” — with Israeli food, music and crafts — and heartfelt appearances from people who marched in the original march in the 1960s.
The highlight of the parade will be a sneak peak at a model of the “Space IL,” a small, unmanned spacecraft that is set to land on the moon in 2015.
The Israeli-flag-adorned spacecraft aims to be the “smallest, smartest spacecraft to ever land on the moon,” according to its Web site.
“Our mission is to make a soft landing [and] move 500 meters and transmit video, images, and data back to Earth by the end of 2015,” it notes.
The event will likely feature the theme “50 reasons to love Israel” and least 20 floats, organizers said.
“We’re celebrating Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. It’s a matter of great, great pride. We as Americans share those values,” Miller said.
“It’s a celebration,” he said.
Judy Kaufthal, parade co-chair, added, “We want everyone come out and celebrate Israel and everything it stands for.”
Supporters can contribute simply by writing a check, organizers said.
While it started along Riverside Avenue, this year’s parade is scheduled to run along Fifth Avenue from 57th to 74th streets in Manhattan.
Last year’s parade featured 35,000 participants, 17 bands and 30 floats.