1,800 Children Join Montreal Parade and Carnival

Over 1,800 kids showed up from 18 Jewish schools of Montréal for a grand Lag B’omer parade and carnival celebrating the hilula of Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Photos: Sender Zirkind

Sunshine or rain, Sunday or in the middle of the week, Montreal always holds a Lag BaOmer Parade with much fanfare.

The Chabad community in Montreal is one of the only cities in the world which organizes a grand Lag BaOmer Parade whether its Sunday or in the middle of the week, celebrating the yahrzeit of the Rashbi.

This year, over 1,800 kids showed up from 18 Jewish schools of Montréal for the event that began in front of Van Horne park ,in a display of Jewish unity and pride, as instructed by the Rebbe. At the park, young students recited the 12 Pesukim.

The parade then began, with 10 car floats and a creative float prepared by bochurim of the Yeshiva Zal and Mesivta and girls from Beth Rivkah. 

Children marching held signs in both English and French calling to “Learn Torah” and “Love your fellow Jew” as they walked down Westbury avenue to Mackenzie Park for a fascinating concert, circus shows, and raffles.

Chabad activist Rabbi Dovid Cohen, who organized the parade, was the MC and greeted participants to the festival honoring Rebbi Shimon bar Yochei’s yahrzeit. He thanked the Head Shliach Rabbi Berel Mochkin for his leadership.

Thanks were also given to Rabbi Yakov and Claudia Timsit, Rabbi Moshe Cohen, Rabbi Nochum Grunwald, and Rabbi Mordechai Amzalag who helped coordinate the event with the help of the Yeshiva Zal and Mesivta and Chaya Mushka Seminary.