Some 205 cities in 24 countries will celebrate Jerusalem Day this year, Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization Executive chairman Leon Dulzin said at a press conference here. “This is the first time that we are going outwards with the celebrations of Jerusalem Day,” he said. “There is no doubt that we have not reached every Jew, but this is a good beginning.”
Jerusalem Day commemorates the reunification of the city 12 years ago. It will be celebrated this year on May 25. The overseas festivities are organized by the local communities and Zionist Federations.
Several events have been scheduled here and abroad. They include the renaming of streets “Jerusalem Street” for at least one day; contributing books on Jerusalem to municipal libraries; mass rallies by various Jewish and Zionist organizations; festive receptions by local leaders; and urging Jewish families to display in their homes items which symbolize Jerusalem.
Some 46 cities have announced they would hold ceremonies renaming streets. They are located in France, Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, Canada and the U.S. It is expected that by Jerusalem Day, some 80 cities will announce renaming streets and 41 cities in England, France and Switzerland will receive books for the local municipal libraries.
Dulzin said that so for little thought has been given to turning the festivities into a national holiday. “There is no doubt that we shall have to deepen the subject, but it takes time. Even the celebrations of Independence Day have not yet acquired the same tradition other Israeli holidays have,” he said. He explained that for the time being the celebrations will be of a demonstrative and educational nature.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
