Montreal Celebrates Lag BaOmer with Unity and Pride

Over 4,000 men, women and children gathered for a Lag BaOmer celebration in in Cote Saint Luc, Montreal, in a display of Jewish pride and unity.

Sunshine or rain, Sunday or in middle of the week, Montreal always holds a Lag BaOmer Parade with much fanfare.

The Chabad community in Montreal, one of the only cities in the world which organizes a grand Lag BaOmer Parade whether its Sunday or in middle of the week, celebrate the yahrzeit of the Rashbi.

4,000 people of all ages showed up for the event that began in front of the Cote Saint Luc city hall in a display of Jewish unity and pride, as instructed by the Rebbe.

Young students recited the 12 Pesukim which was followed by greetings from community rabbis and Dayanim Rabbi Dovid Refoel Banon and Rabbi Berel Bell,

Creative floats prepared by Bochurim of the Yeshiva Zal and Mesivta.

Children marched holding signs in both English and French calling to “Learn Torah” and “Love your fellow Jew” as they walked down Cavendish boulevard, making their way to Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park for A fascinating circus shows, inflatable rides and raffles concluded yet another Lag BaOmer day in Montreal surely to be remembered until next year.

Rabbi Dovid Cohen, the organizer was the MC and greeted participants to the festival honoring Rabbi Shimon bar Yochei’s yahrzeit. “It was scheduled to rain but Baruch Hashem it didn’t” he said, and thanked the Head Shliach Rabbi Berel Mochkin for his leadership.

Over 20 inflatables, circus performers, pony rides, petting zoo, horse rides and train rides and free gifts awaited the excited and eager Jewish children.

A special thank you goes to Hatomim Yisroel Cohen for his help in making this years parade possible.