From the Toronto Daily Star, May 10, 1920
Thirty-Five Thousand Held a Parade, Followed by Meeting in Massey Hall
Thirty-five thousand of the Hebrews of Toronto formed in procession Sunday afternoon as part of the demonstration that was to testify to their loyalty to the British Empire and their thankfulness to Britain for accepting the mandatory for Palestine.
Despite weather that was none too promising during the early part of the afternoon, the procession was one that in size, organization and decoration set an example to organization committees in Toronto. People of all ages were among its numbers, every one indicating their debt to the Empire whose flags were displayed in such numbers, and their hopes for the freedom to be attained under the blue and white flag of Palestine.
Eight bands played music becoming Sunday afternoon and the spirit of the occasion. Five hundred motor cars carried those who would have tired of the long march. Banners by the score indicated the reason for the celebration in languages intelligible to both the younger and elder members of the newly-formed nation.
The parade fell in at Alexandra Park, Bathurst street, and headed by Jewish school children and the rabbis of the city moved off at 3 o’clock punctually and proceeded down Spadina to Queen, along that street to Yonge and College, and thence to their headquarters at Beverley, which was reached at 4.50 p.m.
Custom art by ChatGPT
A large contingent of Jewish returned wounded accompanied the procession, whilst it was very pleasing to note the number of young men in the parade who wore overseas buttons. A strong contingent of Jewish students was also notable figures in the parade.
In addition to ex-Alderman Louis Singer, who was chairman of the organization committee, the success of the procession was mainly due to two returned Jewish soldiers Sergt. C. Oelbaum and Sergt. A. C. Solomon.
After the procession, a meeting was held at Massey Hall. Addresses were delivered by Dr. I. Abramowitz and Leon Goldman, of Montreal, leaders in the Zionist movement, and M. Goldstick, Ontario, secretary of the Jewish Congress. Mr. Louis Singer occupied the chair and the Ontario Legislature was represented by Capt. Ramsden, M.P.P. A choir under the leadership of Cantor B. Wladowsky played appropriate selections.
Dr. Abramowitz commented on the fact that most Jewish gatherings in the past had been for the purpose of bemoaning their fate as exiles or else for appealing for money for the relief of suffering among the brethren in other parts of the world. To-day, however, he continued, they were meeting to rejoice at the arrival of the day for which they have prayed and hoped for many years. He also expressed his sincere thanks to the people who had made the restoration possible—the British Empire. ♦
