The founder of NYC’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade, Ted Comet, passed away today at 100. A lifelong advocate for Jewish life, he spent over 75 years in leadership roles, including with the World Zionist Organization and the Council of Jewish Federations.
Ted Comet was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 24, 1924, and moved to New York City in 1946. In 1965, he founded the Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York to demonstrate support for and proudly celebrate the Jewish state. The parade has since grown into the largest gathering in the world for Israel outside of Israel. He also played a key role in organizing early demonstrations for Soviet Jewry.
At 100, he was honored by the World Zionist Organization with a certificate of appreciation for his lifelong dedication to Zionism. That same year, he attended the Israel Parade as honorary grand marshal, continuing the tradition he helped create.
Ted was married for 70 years to Shoshana Ungar, a Holocaust survivor from Belgium. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. May his memory be a blessing.
