Each year, ahead of the Celebrate Israel Parade, Jewish New Yorkers find different ways to pay tribute to the Holy Land. This year, after three long years without outdoor festivities, I opted to raise a glass with two gentlemen who play a vital role in Israeli politics. As I entered Mike’s Bistro in Manhattan two weeks ago, I was welcomed by the warm embrace of Gild Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations. The handshake of the former Minister of the Knesset for the Likud party set the tone for the evening at the Israel Heritage Foundation’s (IHF) Yom HaAtzmaut celebratory dinner.