More than 18,000 New Yorkers filled Madison Square Garden Monday night for the Chanukah Festival for Israel Bonds which initiated a series of nationwide celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. Max Abrams, campaign chairman of the Greater New York Committee for State of Israel Bonds, which sponsors the festival, reported that “in New York, Israel Bond sales so far in 1967 have more than tripled since last year.” In 1966, sales of Israel Bonds in metropolitan New York amounted to more than $18 million.
William Goldfine, honorary chairman of the Israel Bond campaign in New York, hailed Israel’s anniversary, declaring that “by its inspiring example of bravery and courage, by its great achievements in pioneering and development, by its dedication to freedom and social justice, Israel has brought new dignity, new self-respect, new pride to every Jew on the face of the earth.”
Tonight’s performance of the festival, which was free to purchasers of Israel Bonds, was sold out. To accommodate the record number of Israel Bond buyers this year, a second and third performance of the Chanukah Festival will be held December 18 and January 1 in Madison Square Garden.
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