Kol hakavod to The Jewish Link for in-depth reporting “Pro-Hamas Riot at W. Orange Shul Sparks Outrage and Legal Battle” (May 22, 2025). A couple of tactics we’ve learned in Manhattan in antisemitic cases is to show up in court to physically emphasize Jewish community concern to the district attorney, judge and opposing side; and to directly contact via email or phone the district attorney’s office and local elected officials.
Next, a response to Daniel Rosen’s letter, “A Sanitized Israel Day Parade Is Better Than None” (May 22, 2025). From 60 years of involvement with the parade as a marshal and marcher, my experience this time was very different from his. When the first contingent of the parade marches up Fifth Avenue at 11:30 a.m., there are often fewer spectators, who tend to come late. This year, the first five blocks, from 57th Street to 62nd Street, were closed to spectators for security reasons. When my Upper West Side group marched out to Fifth at 1:30 p.m., we were met by a full complement of enthusiastic spectators all the way from 62nd Street to 74th Street, the parade’s end. The anti-Israel haters who annually clustered at 59th Street were banned this year, also due to security. I hope Mr. Rosen will enjoy many more Israel parades to come.
