American Jews joined today with the Jews of Israel and the rest of the free world in preparations to celebrate Israel’s 17th birthday tomorrow.
Gov. Nelson Rockefeller of New York and Mayor Robert F. Wagner of New York City issued proclamations in tribute of the observance. The Governor presented his proclamation to a delegation of the American Zionist Council. Mayor Wagner issued a proclamation to a similar Zionist delegation.
Mayor Wagner also issued a proclamation designating May 5 as “Israel Bond Day” calling on the people of the city to join him “in demonstrating our profound admiration and friendship for the State of Israel, a country whose economic achievements as a dynamic democracy have earned for it and its people a unique place in the world family of free nations.”
A number of formal and informal celebrations, under the auspices of all Zicaist organizations, as well as under the sponsorship of the Israel Government Mission to the United Nations and Israel’s Consulate-General, will be held in New York City tomorrow.
The Pioneer Women’s organization announced that special family holiday ceremonies will be held tomorrow. The custom of making Israel’s anniversary a family holiday was initiated by the Pioneer Women in 1963. Special anniversary materials have been prepared for use by Pioneer Women members, branches and other Jewish educational and cultural organizations throughout the United States and Canada.
Later in the day, Mayor Wagner was host at the official Mayor’s residence to 200 leaders of the Israel Bond organization as part of the observance of Israel’s anniversary. Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, vice-president of the Israel Bond Organization, called on all Jews to observe the anniversary by aiding the current campaign for sale of Israel bonds.
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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.