The Salute to Israel Parade is always an exciting event, and the Yeshivah of Flatbush takes great pride in displaying its support of Medinat Yisrael—now celebrating 62 years of independence. Showing support this year, by filling the streets as marchers and spectators, was particularly important to combat increased anti-Israel sentiment in the US and around the world. Happily, tens of thousands came out for the parade—taking a stand and enjoying a beautiful day.
This year’s parade theme was “Lights, Camera, Action, Israel,” to which YOF added the subtheme of Mitzvot Hatluyot BaAretz (mitzvot that take place only in Israel). Flatbush organizers got very creative as they expanded upon the theme, creating colorful signs for the marchers to display. High school students carried a magnificent, gigantic 100-foot-long “film strip,” which unfolded to display various mitzvot.
A great deal of time and work went into the school’s stand-out presentation. The theme was developed by Dr. Leah Gerber. The visual presentation was carried out beautifully by art teacher Dvora Greenfeld, who prepared the theme banner both in English and Hebrew, and the pasuk banner, also in English and Hebrew. It was art teacher Jason Novetsky who had the vision to create a “movie” with all the mitzvot.
Special thanks to Joel Braverman High School students Vivi Rosenberg, Rita Donin, Aviva Rakhamimova and Orly Shapir, who spent countless hours painting the movie banner, and kudos to Or Edri for creating the T-shirt design. Rita Donin also achieved the distinction of being a finalist in the Salute to Israel Parade contest held for best video completing the phrase “Israel is…” Special thanks to Norman Sanders for conducting the proud Joel Braverman High School Color Guard and its complicated routine of flags dancing in the wind. Thanks to Eddie Martin and Rabbi Avraham Benhamu for organizing the Middle Division and bringing so much energy and enthusiasm to the day. And a big thanks to Elana Birman, YOF parade coordinator, whose months of hard work led to the tremendous success of the day.
