Thousands of Jewish Children Celebrate Lag BaOmer Across Ukraine
Despite an unexpected wave of snowfall just days before the holiday, thousands of Jewish children together with their parents filled the streets of dozens of Ukrainian cities for the traditional Lag BaOmer unity parades held in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
In the capital city of Kyiv, the atmosphere was especially festive as the weather shifted dramatically within days. “Last Thursday it was still snowing here, and suddenly today summer arrived,” shared Rabbi Simcha Levenhertz of Kyiv. The sharp transition from freezing temperatures to warm sunshine accompanied the children as they marched through the streets carrying signs of unity and reciting Torah verses.
This year’s parades were once again held under the unifying theme of “Together — All the Children of Israel,” taking place in nearly every city with an active Jewish presence, from Dnipro to Lviv. Children — including many families displaced from other parts of the country — participated in gatherings, educational performances, recitation of the Twelve Torah Verses, and activities emphasizing Jewish unity, kindness, and commitment to Jewish values.
“After snow and several cold days,” said Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm, Chief Rabbi and Chabad emissary to Zhytomyr, “the sun came out in honor of Lag BaOmer, and hundreds of Jews together with dozens of children left the FJC Ohr Avner educational village outside the city to celebrate with a parade, Torah verses, stories of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, and a festive meal.”
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Glitzenstein, Chief Rabbi of Chernivtsi, noted that “during these challenging days, hundreds of children from Chernivtsi together with their parents marched proudly in honor of Lag BaOmer and drew strength, light, and warmth for the entire year ahead.”
In Kharkiv, Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz addressed participants during the parade, speaking about the visible miracles of modern times and offering prayers for peace around the world. He also shared the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s message of standing proudly as Jews, investing in the younger generation, and believing in the enduring strength of Jewish education.
