Sunday morning while my friends were enjoying their 3rd hour of blue-shirted volunteerism, I woke to a clear, sunny blue. I walked outside and though it was cool, I thought, “The Walk With Israel will be mobbed today.” Unlike past years where I’ve dragged groups or volunteered for the event, I just wanted to enjoy it this year. I planned to stay long enough to see some friends, wave my flag, hear Joe Black and head home to nap. And that’s what I did.
The event changed alot in the past 10 years. What once were 6 localized events run in our communities is now a centralized Solidarity Day at McCormick Place. The lakeside view is great and in the middle of the city, though not the most accessible or welcoming of locales. Israel gets a day in the news, we all get to cheer and the central model allows for efficiency, elected officials, marquee value talent, easier logisitics, etc. There are a lot of plusses. ‘Shkoyach to the thankless, tireless folks who put it together.
The Jewish Star estimated attendance at 8,000, a VERY significant number. Star notes its lighter than the 17 and 22 thousand in the past two years. Okay, why? JCRC promoted the heck out of it and the weather was pleasant, so does the lower number reflect some collective feeling about Israel, the event or is it was there a Cubs game? I love the event, and I’m curious about how attitudes have changed. Do we take the Walk for granted? People are no less passionate about Israel, so what was different this year? Do we feel Israel is safer? Are there more local and impactful Israel programs? Maybe too much? I open the floor- I want to hear thoughts on how we show our support for Acheinu bEretz Yisrael, and your Walk experiences, old and new.
In other news, Eliyahu, you’re gonna be the end of me. Cara, glad I could help out. Carin, welcome back. Tonight I’m gonna check out the nextbook program at the Beat Kitchen, then I’m preparing for this weekend’s Piamenta event, which I know I’ll see you all at. Finally, I’d like to say Happy Mothers Day to my mother, and all the mothers out there.
