The Jewish Agency float at the Celebrate Israel parade
The Jewish Agency float at the Celebrate Israel paradeRaphael Rice for The Jewish Agency for Israel

Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive Major General (Res.) Doron Almog visited New York City this week to support the local Jewish community and to march with the organization's Israeli emissaries, shlichim, in the annual Celebrate Israel Parade.

In addition to his New York visit, Almog will visit Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Chicago, for meetings with representatives of the Jewish Federations in each city as well as other community-wide events.

Before the June 4 parade, Almog had breakfast with the shlichim, who shared their experiences in strengthening connections to Israel within Jewish communities worldwide. Each year, around 1,700 Jewish Agency shlichim are placed at schools, synagogues, JCCs, camps, universities, youth movements, and Federations across the globe. In training before and throughout their service, The Jewish Agency provides them tools for building Israel-education programs for their audiences. In turn, the shlichim help ensure that any Jewish institution, anywhere, can provide a personal connection to the Jewish state, a staff member who can speak authentically about issues of Zionism, and an Israeli role model for children and young adults.

"The New York Jewish community is a shining example of diversity, staunch support of Israel, and Jewish life. It's an honor to spend time with our shlichim, who serve as a human bridge with Israel. It's so wonderful to hear their stories and gain a better understanding of how The Jewish Agency can continue to help the New York community thrive," Almog said.

This year's parade marks the first time that The Jewish Agency has a dedicated float in what is considered the largest celebration of Jewish life in the United States. Joining Almog at the parade was Mark Wilf, Chairman of the Board of Governors at The Jewish Agency, who also served as an honorary marshal for the festivities.

"It is an honor to see so many people come together for one singular and important cause: supporting the Jewish state. While we may have our differences, there is strength in unity and the Celebrate Israel Parade is a testament to how resilient we are as a Jewish people," Wilf said.

His comments echo the broader strategic plan that The Jewish Agency is currently implementing to bolster the Israel-world Jewry relationship, through avenues such as joint activities between communities worldwide and in Israel, fostering ties between Israeli students and Jewish students studying abroad in Israel, connecting young people from abroad with Israel’s hi-tech industry, and creating lasting bonds between Israelis living outside the country and Jewish families in their regions of residence.