"It's a way to show unity. It shows we're all here for Israel and we love it," Amy Manhein of the UJA Federation said.
The parade is a don't miss event for many politicians, especially during an election year. Two of the candidates for governor worked the crowd on Sunday.
A day after tossing his hat in the ring, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo also released a 250-page book -- his plans on how to fix the state, jobs, taxes and reforms. He says the key is to get the people to buy into his ideas.
"Then we can say to the Democrats and the Republicans in January, the people in the state have spoken and this is what they want, and this is how to get the agenda passed," he said.
Former Representative Rick Lazio, one of the Republican candidates, criticized Cuomo as an Albany insider who he says has done little to correct a broken and broke government.
"Is Albany working any better? Absolutely not. Are taxes lower? Absolutely not. Is it any less expensive to live in New York? Absolutely not," Lazio said.
Candidate Steve Levy, attending a commencement on Long Island, did not make the parade. He released a statement saying "I hope now that he is a declared candidate, Mr. Cuomo will be less reserved about sharing his agenda."
"We want to know how he's going to create jobs. You have my plan. We want to know how he's going to drive down taxes. We need growth and jobs, and that's what I'll bring to New York," Lazio said.
Cuomo saying he's already shown he knows how to make Albany work.
"When you look at the competence level, the performance level I've shown in the attorney general's office, we've brought reform to Albany. We've gotten legislation passed in Albany," he said.
Cuomo said his experience in state government and in the federal government as housing secretary under President Bill Clinton would be an asset in working with legislators.
