Central Park Mall was filled yesterday with the sounds, sights, and spirit of Jewish and Israeli songs, dances, crafts, films, at the first Annual New York City Jewish Youth Fair sponsored by the major city youth groups and coordinated by the American Zionist Youth Foundation.
Four six hours, in temperatures reaching a record high of 96 degrees, some 2000 young Jews participated in the Jewish Youth Fair–complete with booths, exhibits, displays and entertainment. Admission was free and everyone was invited to participate in the festivities.
Jewish and Israeli themes were presented in a festive and educational display, including community singing, Israeli folk dancing, Israeli films and a mini-Hebrew ulpan lesson. In addition to displaying the varied cultural and educational aspects of American Jewish living and Israel, the youth groups also set up displays describing their movements, activities and programs.
The theme of the Youth Fair was “From Slavery to Freedom”–the theme both of Passover which celebrates the exodus from Egypt, and of the current struggle of Soviet Jews to emigrate to Israel. As a symbol of the union of these two efforts, a model Passover “Seder” was performed by former Soviet Jews.
Throughout the afternoon renowned entertainers and groups performed on the stage. A dramatic highlight was a short service dedicated to the Warsaw Ghetto Remembrance. The fair was sponsored by B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, Betar, Bnei Akiva, Dror. Habonim, Hashomer Hatzair, Massada, National Federation of Temple Youth. New York City High School Yeshivas, Young Judaea and Young Israel.
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