Commander Marvin Simon of Jewish War Veterans Post 730 in Plantation was honored Sunday to escort the American and Israeli flags during Broward's biggest party for Israel's 60th birthday.
The World War II pilot remembers April 1948 in New York City when Jewish veterans formed a parade down Sixth Avenue calling for support for an Israeli state.
'We marched and chanted `Israel State in '48, Israel State in '48.' A month later, our dream was real,'' Simon, 84, said before the opening ceremony for the Israel60 Celebration at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.
About 40,000 attended the event hosted by the Jewish Federation of Broward County and co-chaired by volunteers Ida Leightman of Hollywood and Mark Schmidt of Davie.
Schmidt credited a generation of Jews who, with approval from the League of Nations in 1922, spent the next 26 years resettling and redeveloping their traditional home in Palestine. The state of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948.
''A 2,000-year dream came true and they were alive to see it happen,'' Schmidt said.
Leightman said the seven-hour party culminated a yearlong salute marked by smaller happenings at synagogues, schools and community centers. Israel60 showcased live entertainment in the university's gym. Included were eight local cantors in a chorus of religious and cultural songs, magician Avi Frier, Israeli dancer Maor, the Jaime Bronsztein Klezmer Band and recording artist Habanot Nechama.
Israeli artists, jewelers and other merchants filled the gym's second floor.
The Samuel M. and Helene Soref Jewish Community Center in Plantation sponsored an eight-building exhibit by the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston called A Walk Through Jerusalem. Thousands strolled through ''gates'' into rooms that featured poetry, music, games and artifacts from the city.
Hallways were packed with people waiting to purchase authentic kosher and Israeli foods and drinks. Nearly every Jewish group in Broward was represented in rows of information booths.
Even outdoor spaces were packed as families flocked to carnival rides, art activities, face-painting and storytelling on the college lawn.
Ricky Rothstein of Hollywood, who attended with her husband, daughter and granddaughter, said she did not mind the crowds at all. In fact, Rothstein said, she bumped into friends and acquaintances all day.
''We had to come out and be together,'' Rothstein said. ``Israel is where our heart is today. It is home for us. And, yes, Israel is this crowded, too, thank God.''
