With thirty thousand marchers in the Israel Day parade and one hundred thousand-plus viewers, Sunday, June 3 was a glorious day.  Jews and their well-wishers came from Maryland, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Israel, and colleges across the country to sing and dance their way up New York's Fifth Avenue.  It is an annual event that brings light and life to the Jews of the United States. Everyone was particularly happy because of the silly human tendency to prefer round numbers.  This was Israel's 70th birthday as a modern nation and was noticeably more rowdy and boisterous than last year's 69th birthday celebration.  Rain threatened, but no one cared.  More politicians came out, and the amplified music had more bass notes and percussion.  Marchers greeted bystanders, and bystanders drew marchers to the side for hugs and good wishes.  Baby carriages graced various groups, as did some wheelchairs for...(Read Full Post)