Jewish boys and girls enjoyed a grand Lag BaOmer parade and party this past Sunday afternoon, May 26, in Forest Hills. Together with Community Affairs Police Officer Keith Tuohey, and NYPD officers of the 112th precinct, I led a procession on behalf of Queens Shmira, where Jewish youth marched from the P.S. 175 playground by Yellowstone Boulevard and 65th Avenue and traveled towards 108th Street, and then to 66th Avenue, where we entered the yard outside the Queens Jewish Center for an interactive program that included exciting raffles. Queens shoppers are keenly aware of Chabad yeshivah bachurim who visit the business districts each Friday passing out parshah inspiration and offering men the opportunity to partake in the mitzvah of tefilin. A group of these men led the Forest Hills march to further connect with the families they meet weekly.
Children held high signs promoting Jewish education and Torah concepts, highlighted by the mitzvah of tzedakah. The program, sponsored by area Chabad leaders, saw mentors dressed in outlandish clown costumes, bringing a festive mood and smiles to the kids. There was even a flatbed truck with a rendering of kever Rashb”i atop, a Chabad Mitzvah Tank, and joyous live music to keep spirits lifted. The reading of Torah passages, an inspiring Torah-themed story, and a fantastic juggling show were some of the event highlights.
Various Queens Chabad shluchim also brought select Queens residents to Crown Heights earlier in the day where they participated in the Great Lag BaOmer Parade. There was a special contingent of Queens participants of the Released Time Program that joined.
The previous evening, Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, Youth Director at Chabad of Rego Park, organized a special barbeque and bonfire was conducted for men at the start of Lag BaOmer on Motzaei Shabbos in the yard outside of the Chabad Youth Center on 62nd Drive and 99th Street.
The last Lubavitcher Rebbe is credited as the force behind today’s continued success of the Chabad movement and its Jewish educational initiatives throughout the year, highlighted by Lag BaOmer parades in cities everywhere.
Special thanks are extended to Police Officers Keith Tuohey and Christopher DeSantis, and 112th police precinct officers for their constant devotion to maintaining public safety within the Queens Jewish community.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
