By Anash.org reporter
Hundreds of Jews wrapped tefillin on Sunday at Manhattan’s annual Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, as Lubavitcher bochurim and shluchim transformed the massive gathering into an opportunity for mivtzoim.
The annual parade once again drew a large crowd, with close to 60,000 participants joined by tens of thousands of additional spectators lining the route, making it one of the event’s largest turnouts ever.
The parade was attended by numerous public officials, including U.S. senators, members of Congress, New York State legislators, and city officials, together with representatives of the Israeli government and Jewish communal leaders. Notably, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was absent, marking the first time a New York City mayor had boycotted the parade since it was first held in 1965.
While Lubavitch is careful not to formally align itself with Zionist holidays or events, the occasion was nevertheless utilized as an opportunity for mivtzoim.
As in previous years, dozens of Lubavitcher bochurim and shluchim were on site throughout the day to ensure that thousands of Jews had the opportunity to put on tefillin and engage in other mitzvos. Many Jewish police officers, security personnel, and Hatzalah volunteers also took the opportunity to wrap tefillin.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who participated in the parade, described it as one of the most heavily secured events in the city’s history. Police lined the parade route and surrounding streets, maintaining a strong security presence throughout the day.
Despite concerns over security, the event proceeded peacefully, with no anti-Israel protests or disruptions reported anywhere along the parade route.
Photo credit: Avrohom Gordon, Yossi Farro, Yehuda Pevzner
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