Spending Lag Beomer day with my nephew this week sent me down memory lane to the days when thousands of children marched down the famous Lag Beomer parade route at Lubavitch World Headquarters.
I cannot purport to remember the Rebbe's address to the legions of men, women, and children, who came from across the metropolitan area to join in the show of Jewish unity. I wont profess to recall every detail of the events that took place only a couple of times in my youth, as the parades were only held when Lag Beomer was on a Sunday. However, I can look back on one time that I actually marched with my kindergarten class by the grand podium from which the Rebbe viewed the procession.
Op-Ed: Children of Believers
Spending Lag Beomer day with my nephew this week sent me down memory lane to the days when thousands of children marched down the famous Lag Beomer parade route at Lubavitch World Headquarters.
I cannot purport to remember the Rebbe’s address to the legions of men, women, and children, who came from across the metropolitan area to join in the show of Jewish unity. I wont profess to recall every detail of the events that took place only a couple of times in my youth, as the parades were only held when Lag Beomer was on a Sunday. However, I can look back on one time that I actually marched with my kindergarten class by the grand podium from which the Rebbe viewed the procession.
We were crowned with festive hats that we made from construction paper. As we passed the viewing platform we gloriously raised signs we had drawn on that were maintained by reinforced cardboard and cheap wood. Some placards protested our long exile. Most publicized a particular Mitzvah. It was a joyful moment for parents and teachers who took snapshots of their pride, and for us children who would frame the moment for eternity.
The weather was ghastly, and many of the floats were ruined. Our own painted costumes and uniforms were dripping as the rain washed off the dye, yet the Rebbe’s face radiated. This I might recall, or the footage I have since seen makes that impression. A classmate’s banner had detached from the thin, flat piece of wood that held it together. After notifying him of his misfortune, the boy pointed out my own. We both had walked by the Rebbe carrying sticks, but no posters. Yet, the Rebbe saluted us, because as he saw it, we were Judaism’s poster children.
It is typical of a country’s armed forces to parade by their leader, demonstrating the power which defends and propels their nation forward. The Lubavitcher Rebbe was not only the commander of armies of emissaries which he empowered. He was a leader of the parading children, in whom he equally believed. The Lag Beomer parades were designed with children in mind. We would recite Torah passages, give charity, and be reminded of our status among our people. We weren’t just minors, but individuals who played a major role in our people’s future.
Before my time, the Rebbe was joined on stage by the late Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht, who as my mother fondly recalls, led the children’s rallies and carefully communicated the Rebbe’s messages to the youngsters. Rabbi J.J. Hecht, as he is affectionately referred to, was a fiery orator and personality who tenaciously dedicated his life to Jewish education. Last Shabbos, I had the distinct honor of addressing a unique congregation that is named for the passionate man.
They are an exclusive Los Angeles community whose choice membership call themselves the Diamond Daveners. To join, one must meet a basic age requirement which sums up the foundation of the Shul, which is not controversial, but unconventional. Kol Yaakov Yehuda’s slogan expresses its operation, which sets it apart from any other synagogue on earth: “For kids, by kids.”
Rabbi Mendel Duchman, the Shul’s founder, is the son-in-law of the late J.J. Hecht and pioneer of a program that has taken the L.A. Chabad community by storm. Though he is the senior rabbi, each week the Shul appoints a junior rabbi to run the show. Members elect their leadership, and themselves lead prayers. I have seen and even lead a number of youth services around the world, but never have I witnessed the display of confidence and leadership qualities in children as I did while being among the Diamond Daveners.
Mendel spends his week traveling around the country coaching Chabad emissaries with the expansion of their communities. I submit that he should travel around the world to expand his Shul concept, which ought to be franchised. If every Jewish community on earth would have a KYY shul for kids, by kids, we would witness a totally different Jewish landscape. Imagine a ceremony where children don’t just perform the commandments as told, but could tell you why they are so meaningful. It was a pleasure to watch as children weren’t sluggish to get to Shul, but eager to lead it. We have all seen the image of a child tugging at their parents’ hands or coats, impatiently shlepping them home at the conclusion of services. What if we can reverse that picture and actually have children anxiously pulling their parents to Shul?
Of course, raising good Jewish children takes more than a place for them to meet. It takes parents’ motivation and personification. However, what Mendel Duchman is doing on the western seaboard must be implemented in communities from coast to coast, and exported to the ends of the earth.
Our children should be told how the greatest Jewish leader of our time invested and believed in them. And they should be shown how his disciples do too. If kids see how much confidence we have in them, they’ll adapt to our belief.
Yasher Koach
Now THIS is Education!!!
Anonymous
Mendel Duchman is truly an inspiration. He works hard and has a very tiring week but when Shabbos comes around he has the energy of a much younger man and gives it his all. We still do have truly special people these days. We should give them more credit. Mendel may you be blessed with everything you need BGUR.
Oh please!
How long can the “memory lane” be of a 23 year old? Perhaps“memory parking spot” is more appropriate!
To Ohe please!
What do you think memory lane is? Its a spot you remember.
Something is wrong with your mind.
I remember the Rebbe giving me dollars and I am younger than the author
moi
i am 24 and have plenty of memories to recall. memory land is just an expression. You don’t need to be old to take a walk down memory lane. He’s just recalling his Lag Baomer memories of the rebbe. no need to be so sarcastic.
ah poshta yid fuen shcuna
How long can the “memory lane” be of a 23 year old? Perhaps“memory parking spot” is more appropriate!
hey give the guy a break !!!! please
EYE SEEER
mendel duchm is amazing…eveyone should learn from his amazing hard work
go uncle mendel!
go uncle mendel! he is seriously the coolest uncle ever!! anyone who has anything to do with this amazing man is lucky! he is caring, loving, and will go so far to do anything for anyone!!! seriuosly a dugma chaya for everyone, and a great person to be teaching and leading the children of the los angeles community! thanks uncle mendel….YOU ROCK!!!!
Say what says once more-
Very will written piece, with a nice point. It’s hard to believe just since months ago I was using the author as a poster child (excuse the pun) for bad and unwieldy writing. Your last article wowed me, and this one knocked my socks off. (Some people rush forward to criticize, but are nowhere to be found when its time to pay a compliment. I try to be a little more even-handed). Anyways, keep up the writing – as for me, I’ve joined the ranks of fans looking forward to reading your next piece.
Yehuda Chatsky
time flies and this is the point, maybe getzi does remember JJ. he will remember and s=write a newfound one’s like the concept of created memory bezrat hashem as long as it’s used for yirey shomayim, and not plain nostalgia
BEFORE HIS TIME
who on earth said Getzy remmebrs JJ? He wrote nothing of JJ in his account!
he said clearly that JJ was BEFORE his time!!!! “Before my time the Rebbe was joined on stage by JJ”