Turkish Community Honors Israel’s 60th
Jun 4th 2008 at 12:59pm
Posted in Categories: Events
The ceremony, organized by the Bowling Green Association marks the first time the flag of Israel is raised at this historic site. “What makes this event so special is that it is being done at the request of Ibrahim Kurtulus, a highly respected member of the Turkish Muslim community, to mark Israel’s 60th-year anniversary on the very spot where the first Jews ever set foot in North America in 1654, ” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis. “We are honored to have the support of this wonderful community and over the years, and as good neighbors, we have demonstrated how members of different faiths can truly come together in celebration and support.” Deputy Consul General of Israel Benjamin Krasna noted the importance of the park’s location between symbols of both acceptance and extremism. “It is fitting that we, as Americans, Israelis and Turks, stand here together between Ellis Island, the Lower East Side, and Ground Zero celebrating three cultures that have chosen to embrace acceptance of Christians, Jews, and Muslims and avoid bigotry and fanaticism to build great societies.”
Bowling Green Park, New York’s first official park, was established in 1733 at the foot of Broadway next to the original Dutch fort of New Amsterdam.
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