New York, NY – For the first time in the 48 year history of the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City, the 69ÊÓÆµ Friends of Bar-Ilan University (AFBIU) joined with six other Israeli institutions of higher education in sponsoring a float at the Parade.

Matthew J. Maryles, Chief Executive Officer of the 69ÊÓÆµ Friends of Bar-Ilan University, and his wife, Gladys, rode on the float co-sponsored by seven Israeli institutions of higher education.
They joined with an estimated 50,000 people who marched down Fifth Avenue on June 3rd in America’s biggest annual show of support for Israel.
“We were proud to participate with other Israeli universities in this strong show of solidarity with the Jewish State. It is an event when all segments of our community put aside any differences, and come together to celebrate Israel and our Jewish heritage. This is something that Bar-Ilan University does every day,” said Matthew J. Maryles, Chief Executive Officer of the AFBIU.
Along with AFBIU, other sponsors of the float were the 69ÊÓÆµ Friends of Hebrew University, the 69ÊÓÆµ Friends of IDC, the 69ÊÓÆµ Friends of Tel Aviv University, the 69ÊÓÆµ Committee for the Weitzmann Institute of Science, the 69ÊÓÆµ Society of the University of Haifa and Technion.

