For the last four years, Rabbi Yitzchok Schwartz, outreach director at Chabad of Sheepshead Bay, has been coordinating a massive Lag BaOmer parade in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, under the auspices of shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cohen. But an incredible story he heard two months ago helped him realize its significance far beyond the parade.

Over the last four years, the Sheepshead Bay parade has expanded significantly each year, drawing a strong and increasing turnout of families and children. The neighborhood is home to tens of thousands of Jews, the majority of whom do not attend Jewish schools, and the growing Lag BaOmer parade has become a central expression of Yiddishkeit and Jewish pride.

The parade has had a particularly strong impact on children attending public schools. Given the opportunity, they walk publicly with signs of Yiddishkeit and Jewish pride, in line with the Rebbe’s call for public expressions of Jewish identity and participation in Torah and mitzvos in the most visible manner.

“Last year,” Rabbi Schwartz told Anash.org, “ahead of the Lag BaOmer parade, I reached out to community members to invite participation and support for the event. One individual, a yungerman from Crown Heights who chose to remain anonymous, initially contributed $180. Shortly afterward, he surprisingly reached out again, expressing interest in further involvement and sponsored an additional initiative connected to the parade. He later shared with me the background to his renewed involvement.”

After his initial donation, his mother encouraged him to give again, specifically in connection with Lag BaOmer, especially in connection with the parade, noting it as a particularly auspicious time for brachos for children.

The couple had a son born nine years earlier, but had not been blessed with additional children since, and they strongly hoped for more. Motivated by the encouragement, he chose to contribute again and take part in a more significant way.

“A short time ago, the family was Baruch Hashem blessed with the birth of a baby girl”, Rabbi Schwartz shared. “According to their calculation, the birth coincided with approximately nine months after Lag BaOmer.”

The story has had a deep impact on those involved in the parade and has served as a source of encouragement for continued growth.

“The Rebbe explained that a parade represents walking – meaning progress in Torah and mitzvos”, says Rabbi Schwartz. “Walking in a parade with visible Yiddishkeit gives strength for continued growth and progress in Yiddishkeit”.

As part of efforts to expand the event further, organizers are currently seeking support from 100 donors contributing $180 each to help fund the parade. So far, 48 participants have already joined!

“Everyone can contribute and become partners in the Rebbe’s vision of public parades in every place, spreading Yiddishkeit openly and proudly,” Rabbi Schwartz said.

“Following the parade, I will daven at the Ohel and mention all the donors for a bracha,” he added.

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