Lag B’Omer Parade Unites Joburg

Those passing by James and Ethel Gray Park on Sunday were in for a surprise as the Lag B’Omer Jewish Unity Parade, with participants from many Jewish day schools and Synagogues paraded through the street showing their Jewish pride.

“Lag B’Omer is traditionally a day of unity and celebration,” said Rabbi Michael Katz, a director of Chabad House. “The Parade offers the community an avenue to show our togetherness, and put our Jewish pride on display.”

The Parade and Fair is run under the auspices of Chabad House, was produced by Rabbi Pini and Rochie Pink in close coordination with the city’s leading Jewish schools and institutions.

The Parade kicked off at the park with the participation of the South Africa Police Marching Band, the SAPS horses, the Bambanani marching band, the Torah Academy marching band. Floats from Torah Academy Girls’ High and Boys’ High Schools highlighted the procession, along with Rebbe’s Bikers group and members from each of Joburg’s dozens of Chabad Houses.

The parade made its way to the Great Park Shul forest where it was officially opened with greetings from Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein and the junior mayor of Johannesburg Joseph Joffe. Child representatives from all participating schools led the crowd with words of Torah and Prayer, and everyone enjoyed an exhilarating African Acrobats and a show by the Soweto Gum Boot dancers. Following that the fun fair opened for the children to all enjoy for the rest of Lab B’Omer day.

“There was an unbelievable communal spirit despite the weather,” said Jamie Frankel. “It was just a beautiful vibe, unforgettable.”

Chad Cohen said that the children had a terrific time. “Just seeing all those smile – at the parade and at the funfair – was so heartwarming.”