London Celebrates Lag Ba’omer with Much Fanfare

Thousands of people enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather at the Great Lag Ba’omer parade in Stamford Hill, London, UK. Children from the local Jewish day schools in Ilford, Golders Green, Edgware, Southgate and of course Stamford Hill all joined in and took part in saying the Pesukim.

The Parade was emceed by Rabbi Odom Brandman, Shliach in Buckhurst Hill, who also had a full program at his own Chabad House on Shabbos and on Lag Ba’omer afternoon.

Floats were built by the Yeshiva – led by Noach Zajler, and by Mechina – led by the Gordon brothers. The parade and main fair were organized by Rabbi Sholom Ber and Devorah Leah Sudak, together with their team of staff from Lubavitch Children’s Centre, under head Shliach to the UK Rabbi Nachman Sudak -may he have a Refuah Shelaima.

Entertainment was provided by famous London singer Yossi Dunner, who even had the African Acrobats dancing to the Niggunim. The marching band was directed by Zalman Pape; Mitzvah Tanks arrived from Ilford, and members of the Hendon community together with a group from Schonfeld Square joined. Men and women from all the local Shtibelach lined the closed streets to watch, and many commended the great Kidush Hashem.

After the parade, three fairs took place: for younger children there were animal and land-train rides, frisby painting and a full afternoon of fun at Clapton Commons Park, run by the Lubavitch Children’s Centre. A great day of fun was held at Lubavitch Boys and Girls schools for the older children, open to all members of the community.

A great spirit of unity was felt by all, and it was obvious that the days’ events gave the Rebbe Much Nachas.