New Yorkers marched in hope for release of Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza and in support of Israel, its people and culture.
(May 19, 2025 – New York) – Yesterday, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) hosted its annual Israel Day on Fifth parade, with support from its partner , UJA-Federation of New York. According to updated data from the New York Police Department (NYPD), 50,000+ Jewish New Yorkers and allies of all backgrounds marched together up Fifth Avenue to showcase their love and support for Israel and its people and culture.
The theme for Israel Day on Fifth was “HaTikvah” (The Hope). This year, participants called on everyone to continue drawing attention to the plight of the 58 hostages still held captive by Hamas in Gaza and demand their immediate release, while at the same time, celebrating our love for the State of Israel and Jewish identity.
“Israel Day on Fifth this year was a remarkable affirmation of the New York Jewish community’s connection and commitment to the State of Israel,” said JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger, “The unity on display demonstrated our unwavering support for Israel and her people, as well as our pride in being Jewish and Zionist. We gathered around the idea of ‘HaTikvah (The Hope),’ an enduring ode of Jewish nationhood and Israeli identity. We continued to call for the immediate release of the 58 hostages remaining in Gaza since their abduction on October 7 by sending an urgent message to the world to “Bring Them Home Now!” We are not whole until we are all home.”
Israel Day on Fifth featured more than 200 participating schools, synagogues, and other organizations from across the tri-state area and beyond, including 8 states and 8 countries, as well as 5 Billboard trucks, and 35 floats, a record number.
The event welcomed and provided a platform for several Israeli citizens previously held hostage in Gaza and their families, including Keith and Aviva Siegel, and Merav and Ilan Dalal, parents of Guy Gilboa Dallal, who was abducted at the Nova Music Festival, to continue to raise awareness for the Israeli citizens who have yet to be released.
Federal, state and local elected officials, including Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Mayor Eric Adams, Congress Members Laura Gillen, Daniel Goldman, Mike Lawler, Grace Meng, Jerrold Nadler, and Greg Meeks, NYS Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, NYS Assembly Members Alex Bores, Edward Braunstein, Lester Chang, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Andrew Hevesi, Grace Lee, Michael Novakhov, Amy Paulin, Nily Rozic, David Weprin, Jenifer Rajkumar, Tony Simone, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, NYC Council Members Gale Brewer, Eric Dinowitz, Julie Menin, Keith Powers, Lynn Schulman, Susan Zhuang, Kamillah Hanks and Robert Holden, Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson, and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip attended the event to stand with the State of Israel and the New York Jewish community.
The procession up Fifth Avenue was led by Israel Day on Fifth Grand Marshal Harley Lippman.
JCRC-NY thanks Mayor Adams and the NYPD for their assistance and dedication, which enabled the New York Jewish community to come together on Fifth Avenue in support of Israel. JCRC-NY also thanks its partner, UJA-Federation of New York, for its collaboration in making Israel Day on Fifth a success.
JCRC-NY, a proud UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.