This year, I was determined to participate in what was called the “Israel Day on Fifth” parade. I had stomach issues starting Shabbos afternoon, but fortunately on Sunday morning I was able to go to the parade despite not eating the right foods for breakfast. Sunday night, after going to the parade and later in the afternoon to the Nova exhibit, I again had stomach issues. I did not have any problem during the parade whether as a marcher or a spectator, or when I went to the Nova exhibition afterwards with my family. I look at this as a sign that going to the parade was the right thing to do.
A few comments about the parade. I never saw so much security. Not only was the west side of Fifth Avenue closed to spectator viewing, but there were metal detectors and x-ray machines for all bags and personal items by the few entrances to Fifth Avenue. There were blocks where no pedestrians were allowed.
The crowd seemed to be larger than in the past few years. It may have been due to the smaller viewing area. It is better to have a filled up small area than to a have empty large area. There were people who had to wait in long lines to get through the detectors, and I heard that at times some entrances were closed due to too many people on Fifth Avenue in that section.
I commend those who came to the parade, whether as marchers or spectators. The supporters of Israel came out in substantial numbers while those who want its destruction were the usual dozen or so. I had expected a large counter-protest. I guess on this Sunday, our passion for Israel was greater than the passion of those who wants its demise.
There may have been people who decided not to come because they were afraid of potential security problems. I can accept that even if I disagree with it. I am curious as to how many of those who repeatedly criticize Democrats and the president came to the parade. That includes columnists and letter to the editor writers. It is hard to criticize the administration for not being what you feel is not sufficiently supporting Israel if you avoid attending the most significant public display of support. Here is your chance in your next writing to tell us.
I ended up marching with the organization for Jews in the court system. Although I am not in the court system, both of my parents were. My father worked in the Appellate Division, and my mother, who I am saying Kadish for, was a probation officer in Family Court.
I had expected a more somber parade. I guess that is hard to do when you had so many marchers from Jewish elementary and high schools.
With this type of event, the media response matters. The parade was televised, so the viewers were able to see that the schools and organizations came out in force, as they did in prior years. The media could not report that there was any significant criticism of Israel at or near the parade, which was a welcome relief in these times. If there had been a crowd, it is guaranteed that it would have been reported.
After the parade, I went with my family to the Nova exhibition. It was a combination of items taken from the massacre at the music festival as well as personal video statements by some survivors, some videos that were taken by victims as the attack was occurring, and some footage recorded by Hamas. For example, they had a few of the burned cars as well as the actual bar and items such as the bottles that were left and a cooler for the drinks. For me, the two most haunting items were the port-o-potties that had bullet holes from when the terrorists tried to murder those who went inside to try to escape. The second was the table of items never retrieved, including shoes. It reminded me of pictures of the liberation of the concentration camps, where you saw piles and piles of shoes and other personal items.
Some people have emphasized the fact that the attack occurred during a music festival. That may be significant because of the considerable number of young people who were murdered. However, Hamas did not murder them because they were at a music festival; they were murdered because they were Jews. The festival made it easier to kill large numbers because of the high concentration of people.
There is an irony that protests were happening at college campuses by people who are mostly about the same age as those killed at the festival, yet they seem to have no problem with the massacre or just ignore it. We cannot forget and must do our best to make sure the people of the United States also do not forget.
By Warren Hecht
