Proud Jews Rally
Proud Jews RallyPhoto: (Archive)

"Let your voice be heard" is the motto of the organizers of the upcoming Israel Day Concert/ Rally in New York City.

More than 20,000 people are expected for the 18th (Chai) Annual Israel Day Concert in Central Park, a tribute to Carl Freyer and a Dr. Manfred Lehmann Memorial event,  which will be held at Central Park's Summer Stage on Sunday, June 5 in honor of the 44th anniversary of the miracle of the Six-Day War and the re-unification of Jerusalem. (Pictures of Israel Day rallies courtesy of Barry Brown studios.)

The free concert will be held  from 2:30-7:30 p.m., rain or shine, after the annual Salute to Israel Parade.

Dr. Joseph Frager, long-time Organizer, and Dr. Paul and Drora Brody, Chairpersons, have announced the concert's themes: Jerusalem United Forever -- never to be divided again, no further concessions of any part of the Land of Israel, standing up to the mullahs of Iran, and calling for the release of Gilad Shalit and for the release of Jonathan Pollard.

The concert, which effectively is the largest rally of its kind in North America, and possibly in the world, is sponsored by the Israel  Concert-In-The-Park Committee, associated with Young Israel Chovevei Zion and the National Council of Young Israel, and it is co-organized by Aron Hirtz.

It pays special tribute this year to Carl Freyer z'l, who toegther with his wife Sylvia founded the concert in response to a call by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, to mount some form of protest to the ill-conceived 1993 Oslo accords.

Freyer, who passed away en route to Israel before Succot, was a leader of the nationalist camp and a supporter of numerous causes for many years, impacting many aspects of Jewish life in America and Israel. He and his wife were founders of Arutz Sheva and the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP).

The Concert/Rally also salutes noted the late Jewish activist and philanthropist Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann, who was the event's first Chairman, as well as the late Rose and Reuben Mattus, of Haagen-Dazs fame.

The guest speaker will be MK Danny Danon, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and chairman of World Likud. Special appearances will be made by leading political and religious leaders and Jewish activists focusing on the event's all-important themes.

There will be representatives of the World Committee for the Land of Israel, Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai(JRP), the Hebron Fund and  the One Israel Fund.

Rabbi David Nesenoff, Publisher/Editor of The Jewish Star, who exposed the anti-Semitic statements of White House correspondent Helen Thomas, will focus his remarks on the plight of Jonathan Pollard.

Special performers include Avraham Fried, Shalsheles with Shalsheles Jr., Avi Peretz and Ouri Bitton, Elram and Shlomi, of Yemenite background direct from Israel, Jerry Markovitz, Izzy Kieffer with Heshy R. and the debut of Yitzy Bald's New York Boys Choir.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Shloime Dachs Orchestra & Singers. Light Intonation, a new group comprised of Yeshiva boys, will be introduced.

Haitian George, whose dancing career was salvaged  by an IDF rescue team in Haiti and at Tel HaShomer Medical Center, will remind us just what Israel is capable of  when he once-again dances on the Summer Stage. 

Strictly kosher food and drinks will be available Early arrival is advised as there will be added security checks. Enter at 5th Ave. & 72nd St. For more information, contact 917-650-5623.