H eadlines
Israel Supporters March Down Parkway
L OCA L
ANDY GOTLIEB | JE MANAGING EDITOR
A BOU T 10 0 PE OPL E
marched from the Philadelphia
Museum of Art to the Horwitz-
Wasserman Holocaust
Memorial Plaza on May 12 in
a show of support for Israel in
its conflict against Hamas and
Islamic jihad terrorist attacks.

The event organized by the
Israeli-American Council was
one of 19 rallies that day across
the United States.

Participants of all ages
gathered at the “Rocky” steps and,
with a police escort, marched
down the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway, chanting and waving
Israeli flags and pro-Israel signs.

At one point, the chant was
“Hummus, not Hamas.”
“It’s a beautiful sight,” said
Hani Reuveni, the community
engagement coordinator of IAC
Philadelphia, who led the march,
complete with a bullhorn. “It’s
absolutely perfect.”
Marchers were greeted with
occasional honks of support
from passing drivers, which
always drew cheers. The
number of marchers swelled
from the 60 or so who left from
the art museum to about 100,
as some people joined en route.

It took about 35 minutes
for the contingent to reach the
Holocaust plaza and the Israeli
flag along the parkway. The
chants and a couple speakers
continued for a few moments
before the group dispersed.

Despite the positive nature
of the event, participants didn’t
forget the perilous situation.

“It’s very painful to see what’s
going on in Israel,” said Sharona
Drurry, an Israeli native who
was IAC’s first program and
communication manager when
the organization opened its
Philadelphia office in 2016.

“My father is 98 and my
mother is 90. It doesn’t feel
right to have elderly parents and
children in shock,” continued
Drurry, who founded PhillyIsrael
in 2005. “Now they’re in so much
pain and fear.”
IAC said thousands partic-
ipated in its rallies.

“Our communities are
always closely connected to
Israel. Especially now, when
our brothers and sisters are
under brutal attack by terrorist
organizations, we need to be
there, to speak in support of
Israel and its citizens and to
Israel rally participants on the Philadelphia Museum of Art “Rocky” steps on May 12
stand together side by side
against terror,” IAC co-founder
and CEO Shoham Nicolet said.

The May 12 rally was just
one of numerous area shows of
support for Israel.

The Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia held a
virtual Philadelphia Stands
with Israel event on May 16.

“We are united in our
unwavering support for Israel,
particularly as the trauma
grows with each passing
hour,” said Michael Balaban,
incoming president and CEO
of the Jewish Federation.

The event featured a
AKILADELPHIA CREATIVE CONTRACTING, LLC
CUSTOM BUILDING
GENERAL CONTRACTING
LICENSED & INSURED
215.589.5405// AKILADELPHIA.COM
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN & BATH SPECIALISTS
A PORTION OF TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE WILL BENEFIT
JEWISH CHARITY OF CLIENT’S CHOICE
SENIOR DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
6 MAY 20, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
Photo by Andy Gotlieb
discussion with Balaban; Tamir
Idan, chairman of the Sdot Negev
Regional Council; Rabbi Eric
Yanoff, co-president of the Board
of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia;
and U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick
and Susan Wild.

The Jewish Federation
also announced a new Israel
Emergency Fund to support
those in Israel impacted by the
current attacks. Money collected
with go for portable bomb
shelters, air conditioning units
for shelters and trauma services.

Residents can visit jewish-
philly.org/israelemergencyfund to
contribute to the fund.

And on May 16 Israeli
supporters held a counter-
protest in Rittenhouse Square
after pro-Palestinian protesters
marched through Center City,
NBC10 reported.

Also over the weekend, video
circulated on social media of
three men unsuccessfully trying
to burn the Israeli flag hanging
outside the Holocaust plaza.

“This act of hatred only
serves to sow further division
within our community,” said
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



H eadlines
Eszter Kutas, executive director
of the Philadelphia Holocaust
Remembrance Foundation.

“... We are appalled by this
attempted vandalism — it isn’t
representative of the spirit of
our city.” l
agotlieb@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0797
Israel supporters march down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Financial advice
from a
knowledgeable neighbor.

Police provided an escort for marchers.

E. Matthew Steinberg
Managing Director – Investments
(888) 800-1152
matthew.steinberg@opco.com Serving Investors in
Philadelphia and South Jersey
for 27 Years.

Clients able to invest a
minimum of $500,000 are likely
to best utilize our services.

This material is not a recommendation as
defined in Regulation Best Interest adopted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is
provided to you after you have received Form
CRS, Regulation Best Interest disclosure and
other materials. ©2021Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

Transacts Business on All Principal Exchanges
and Member SIPC. 3414611.2
The pro-Israel march concluded at the Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial
Plaza. Photos by Andy Gotlieb
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
MAY 20, 2021
7