The declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 was heralded by Jews around the world with rallies, flags and revelry. In Vienna, they marched to Herzl’s grave; in Philadelphia, the flag was raised above City Hall by Mayor Bernard Samuels; in the DP camps in Frankfurt, the Jewish and American flags were raised together.
Here is a snapshot of the celebration, as reported by JTA correspondents:
North America:
BOSTON – Workmen’s Circle Convention Hails Establishment of Israel; Urge U.S. to Lift Embargo (May 18, 1948)
CHICAGO – 50,000 Chicagoans Jam Salute to Israel Rally; Lifting of Arms Embargo Urged (May 18, 1948)
DETROIT – 25,000 Detroit Jews Participate in Salute to Israel Rally; Shofar Sounded (May 24, 1948)
MONTREAL – Canadian Jewry Prepares to Celebrate Proclamation of Jewish State over Weekend (May 14, 1948)
NEW YORK – Jews Throughout U.S. Celebrate Proclamation of State; Weizman Greets Yishuv (May 16, 1948)
NEW YORK – Tens of Thousands Jam New York Meeting to Greet Establishment of New Jewish State (May 17, 1948)
NEW YORK –Flag of Israel Hoisted Over Waldorf-Astoria, Residence of Dr. Weitzman(May 19, 1948)
PHILADELPHIA – Flag of Israel Hoisted Atop Philadelphia City Hall by Mayor Samuel; Leaders Join Ceremony (May 26, 1948)
WASHINGTON – Flag of Israel Raised over Jewish Agency Headquarters in Washington and New York (May 16, 1948)
World:
AMSTERDAM– Overflow Rally of Netherlands Jews Hails Israel; Artists Offer Works to New State (May 20, 1948)
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA– News Brief (May 17, 1948)
BUDAPEST – News Brief (May 17, 1948)
BUENOS AIRES – News Brief (May 17, 1948)
BUENOS AIRES – Jews Attend Mass Meeting in Buenos Aires to Celebrate Birth of Israel (May 18, 1948)
FRANKFURT (DP Camp)– News Brief (May 17, 1948)
JOHANNESBURG – South African Jews Greet Israel With Sounding of Shofar; Pledge Support to State (May 20, 1948)
LONDON– Thousands Attend Celebrations for Israel in Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy (May 17, 1948)
PARIS – News Brief (May 17, 1948)
PRAGUE – News Brief (May 17, 1948)
ROME – Americans get First Israeli Visas in Italy; Eleven Israel-bound Planes Grounded (May 20, 1948)
SOFIA, BULGARIA – News Brief (May 17, 1948)
VIENNA – 4,000 Jews in Vienna Mark Establishment of Israel by March to Dr. Herzl’s Grave(May 25, 1948)
WARSAW – Polish Jews Mark Establishment of Israel; Similar Celebrations in Other Countries (May 17, 1948)
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