Hundreds of children and adults from the Sheepshead Bay Jewish community in South Brooklyn gathered for a festive Lag BaOmer parade and rally event, leaving a memorable impression of Jewish pride.

Over the past four years, the Sheepshead Bay parade has expanded significantly each year, drawing a strong and steadily growing 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 Jewish identity and pride.

This year, the parade had a particularly strong impact on children attending public schools. The children marched in an official parade, walking publicly with signs of yiddishkeit and Jewish pride through the streets of Sheepshead Bay, as bystanders watched from the sidewalks.

Many bochurim dressed as clowns helped entertain the children, and the block was closed off by police for the occasion. The crowd then gathered for a rally where the children recited the 12 Pesukim. There was also special emphasis placed on the fact that this year marks exactly 50 years since the Rebbe launched the 12 Pesukim.

They also heard about the significance of the day, the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and learned about his life and teachings.

The program included handing out sweets, popcorn, and cotton candy, so the children would say brachos. The children also had the opportunity to give tzedakah. The bochurim from 770 came to help, assisting many participants and helping them put on tefillin.

The event included attractions such as a special magician who provided entertainment, along with three trampolines and other activities. At the end, there was a raffle for a bicycle and other expensive prizes.

“Baruch Hashem, the Jews were very, very happy and deeply moved,” Rabbi Yitzchok Schwartz, outreach director at Chabad of Sheepshead Bay, told Anash.org. “There was a real feeling of joy and warmth. People were smiling; it just felt good to see so many Jews together.”

One man initially refused to put on tefillin, explaining he isn’t religious and doesn’t believe, and that he had not done so since his bar mitzvah. However, seeing the atmosphere and the joy of the children, he agreed to put on tefillin.

“Overall, the parade was very, very special – a powerful expression of pride, unity, and simcha”, Rabbi Schwartz said.

A large campaign was held on Anash.org to fund the grand parade with the great zechus that it brings. Many Anash grabbed the opportunity, and their names were all mentioned by Rabbi Schwartz at the Rebbe’s Ohel.

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