Thousands of children filled the streets of Yerushalayim this Lag B’Omer as Chabad’s longtime central parade underwent its biggest transformation in decades, turning the annual march into a massive citywide event centered around unity, Tehillim, and the Rebbe’s 12 Pesukim campaign.

Organized by Tzeirei Agudas Chabad of Yerushalayim under the leadership of Rabbi Naftali Hakohen Roth, the parade has been a fixture of Yerushalayim life for nearly fifty years. But this year, organizers completely reimagined the format, creating what participants described as the largest and most ambitious version of the event to date.

Rather than gathering in neighborhood locations and marching toward Kikar Hashabbat as in previous years, thousands of children assembled directly in the square for a powerful opening rally. In one of the event’s most emotional moments, children were handed Tehillim cards and, together, completed the entire Sefer Tehillim for the safety and salvation of Yidden in Eretz Yisroel and around the world.

The gathering also included a festive Mincha, spirited singing, and prize raffles before the massive parade began its march through the streets of Yerushalayim.

This year’s event placed special emphasis on the 50th anniversary of the Rebbe’s 12 Pesukim campaign, with the children carrying signs and enthusiastically reciting the pesukim throughout the parade route.

The procession concluded at a large event complex that featured giant inflatable attractions, activity stations, educational entertainment, music, and a central rally with divrei Torah and performances.

Organizers said the decision to redesign an event that had remained largely unchanged for decades was a major logistical gamble.

“For nearly 40 years, the format was basically running on autopilot,” the organizers shared afterward. “This year, we decided to reinvent everything from the ground up. It was a risk, but the results spoke for themselves. The number of children was significantly larger than in previous years, and the atmosphere, together with the organization, created a tremendous Kiddush Hashem.”

The parade was coordinated with the help of dozens of volunteers and yeshiva bochurim, and continued into the evening, leaving the sounds of children reciting pesukim echoing through the streets of Yerushalayim long after the event had ended.