Sunshine, Smiles & Spirit: Lag B’Omer Parade in Albany
What a gorgeous day it was for this year’s annual Maimonides Hebrew Day School’s Lag B’Omer Parade in Albany!
The clouds parted just in time, revealing brilliant blue skies and warm sunshine that lasted the entire parade.
A big thank you to the Albany Police Department—especially the officers on bikes—who graciously escorted us along this year’s route. We began at Partridge Street and made our way to Glenwood Avenue, where students from the local public school waved from windows and even stepped outside to cheer us on.
From there, we paraded down New Scotland Avenue, passing homes, shops, and many friendly faces who smiled and waved. Our journey continued past Albany Med and into the heart of Washington Park.
Most of our parade-goers sported white caps, many uniquely decorated in Morah Rivi’s art class. The march featured colorful old banners, a vibrant new sign celebrating our “Enjoy Torah” theme, and cheerful signs created by the Kindergarten class. Alumnus Jeremy and our Maimonides Boys Drum Corps kept everyone in step with an energetic beat that carried us all the way to the park.
We had more onlookers this year than ever before! Among them: a new school neighbor and former international reporter, an MHDS parent and Albany Med doctor, a disabled veteran named Henry who was so inspired he wants to treat our students, and two Jewish neighbors on Glenwood Street—including one named Shmuel Feivel HaKohen!
One memorable moment came when a local man, in the middle of a meeting, heard the drumline, remembered it was Lag B’Omer, and ran outside to join the festivities.Adding joy to the event, Rabbi Yossi appeared as the beloved “Charlie Buttons,” blowing bubbles, twisting balloons, and bringing smiles to every face. Many students wore “Enjoy Torah!” “Love your Fellow as Yourself” buttons— created years ago by Rabbi Yisroel Rubin which helped spark Charlie’s button tradition. Our students created special minted buttons in the loving memory of Charlie, Tzadik ben Yisroel Eliezer Halevi.
At Washington Park, the students gathered on the wooden amphitheater by the Lakehouse to say the 12 Pesukim and enjoy a well-earned picnic of ices, chips, drinks, and lunch. Afterwards, kids played sports, explored the last of the blooming tulips, and soaked in the beautiful day.
It was a day filled with joy, connection, and Jewish unity and pride—truly a Lag B’Omer Parade to remember!
Continuing the spirit of achdus, the Maimonides Dinner will be this year eve of Rosh Chodesh Sivan—the date Rashi famously says Jews camped at Sinai “like one man, with one heart!” Both this year’s worthy honorees Rabbi Michael & Leah Caras and Rabbi Schneur Zalman & Elisheva Liberman well- known and greatly appreciated in our community, tirelessly dedicated to enriching, unifying, strengthening & bolstering our community—in many ways big and small, within school & Shul and beyond. Join in supporting Maimonides www.maimonidesschool.org/dinner
