The “Great Parade” of Cape Town, South Africa!

SOUTH AFRICA — “I’ve never felt so proud to be Jewish” is how one participant described his feelings marching down the Beach Road in Sea Point in the “Great Parade” that brought together Cape Town’s Shul communities and all three schools in a magnificent display of the Achdus.

Led by Premier of the Western Cape and Leader of the Opposition Helen Zille, the SAPS Marching Band and the Mounted Police, the parade was a moment of unprecedented thrill and pride as the Jewish Community celebrated this day that traditionally highlights Jewish Unity with a march and subsequent fair of close to 1,500 men, women and children down the beachside thoroughfare. Beautifully decorated floats built by young and old alike at different Shuls depicted themes of Ahavat Yisrael, Igniting Your Soul, Shabbat, Keeping Kosher, and many other Jewish themes while the children of Herzlia Schools, Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School and Sinai Academy held their decorated signs aloft as the crowd, five blocks long, cheering, singing and hooting marched in unison.

With live Jewish music and and a pumping energy like that the beachfront hasn’t seen in a long time, the blue lights of the traffic police motorbikes and red lights of the firetrucks brought a colourful close to the back of the procession.

At the halfway point, the march paused and Rabbi Mendel Popack from Chabad of Cape Town, coordinators of the entire event, began with thanking Hashem for the beautiful day and for everything that brought us to this moment “Shehecheyanu Vekiyimany Vehigiyanu Lizman Hazeh!” His warm introduction and rousing cheer from the crowd welcomed our beloved Premier Helen Zille who shared her excitement at being a part of a day that celebrates our unity that crosses all boundaries of humanity to bring us together as one people to celebrate the blessing of life. She later shared her excitement at participating in another Chabad event where the spirit is always one of fun and joy that project a far deeper and more meaningful message.

As the parade, marchers, floats, luxury cars, motorbikes, emergency vehicles, bands and all the others wound their way up Norfolk Road, a magnificent fair was waiting at the Sea Point High School. With Bunjee Trapeze jumping, Waterball entertainment, a full on Petting Zoo, Sidecar Motorbike rides and much more excitement in the air, there were loads of food stalls with Burgers, Sausages, Boerewors Rolls and lots of Nosh to keep everyone going and nourished. One very special moment, right before the amazing ventriloquist show on the main stage, was when the young children were called forward to recite the Torah passages and “from the mouths of babes” their pure voices brought the holy words of Torah into a day that celebrated our eternal spirit.

Plans are already underway for the next Lag BaOmer 5771 “Great Parade” – Sunday 22 May 2011 – in the Holy City of Yerusholayim!