Young emissaries of the Jewish Agency for Israel dance their way up Fifth Ave. as the Jewish Agency for Israel participates in the Celebrate Israel Day Parade on New York’s main Avenue with a float and group of marchers dedicated to the historic commitment of the past 83 years of securing the Jewish future for generations through a strong Diaspora-Israel relationship and by confronting the greatest challenges of the Jewish people in every generation. Sunday June, 03, 2012. (Photo: David Karp)

June 5, 2012 / 15 Sivan 5772

The annual Celebrate Israel Parade—known in the past as the Salute to Israel Parade—has been a centerpiece of the American Jewish community’s celebration of Israel for years. Since 2011, however, another exciting element has been added to the day’s events – a four-mile race through Central Park, drawing thousands of runners and onlookers.

This year, the Jewish Agency co-sponsored the race together with the New York Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and New York Road Runners (NYRR), a 40,000-member running organization. The race course took some 5,136 runners on a four-mile symbolic journey through Israel, from Eilat to Tel Aviv.

The Jewish Agency’s logo and “Take the Challenge” theme were splashed across the city on the Celebrate Israel Day banners, as well as on the official race t-shirts, race signage, and at the start and finish lines. Spectators and runners alike crowded around the Jewish Agency booth in the registration area and a Jewish Agency-branded giveaway – a headband with organization’s logo – was a tremendous hit among the runners.

The Jewish Agency for Israel participates in the Celebrate Israel Day Parade on New York’s Fifth Avenue with a float and group of marchers dedicated to the historic commitment of the past 83 years of securing the Jewish future for generations through a strong Diaspora-Israel relationship and by confronting the greatest challenges of the Jewish people in every generation.  Sunday June, 03, 2012. (Photo: David Karp)