A full day of programs marked Lag B’omer in Almaty, Kazakhstan, including a parade that continued until the Ohel of Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, father of the Rebbe, and a community bonfire.
A full day of programs marked Lag B’omer in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with parades and gatherings throughout the city. One by one, more and more Jews arrived and gathered in the courtyard of the Chabad house.
The procession left the Beis Chabad accompanied by music and posters presenting different Mitzvos. The paraders headed towards the holy tziyun of Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father.
The children of the SmartJ afterschool program proudly lead the parade followed by the crowd reciting the twelve pesukim and singing songs, making a big Kiddush Hashem in the city streets.
When they arrived at the ohel, the Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, recited chapters of Tehilim aloud and a general prayer asking for a blessing for the Jews of Kazakhstan amongst Am Yisroel, which should merit a personal and general redemption. Everyone took the opportunity to daven and recite Tehilim and then returned to a festive evening in the Chabad house courtyard.
The event opened with lighting the bonfire in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The children were then called up to the stage to say the twelve pesukim.
An elderly Jew, beloved to the community, who previously served in the Red Army, arrived dressed in the symbolic uniform adorned with medals in honor of the ninth of May, the day of the USSR victory over the Nazis in World War II. He stood on the stage and excitedly said: Sitting at this event is our real victory! I bless each of you to merit seeing your grandchildren and great-grandchildren celebrating Jewish holidays like this!
The participants enjoyed a lavish barbecue, a game of archery and inflatables for children. The event concluded with raffling prizes to the participants.
The community was very thankful to the organizers for the wonderful holiday celebration.
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