15 Schools Joined Los Angeles Lag BaOmer Unity Event

By COLlive reporter

The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills brimmed with joy and excitement as and overflowing crowd of children gathered to celebrate Lag BaOmer, uniting for Torah, Tefila, and Tzedakah, through music and joy.

Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, Head Shliach of California, began the event by highlighting the Rebbe’s special connection to Lag BaOmer and the remarkable power of Jewish children in hastening the Geulah. He then presented a heartfelt video compilation showcasing the Rebbe’s immense joy and the unity fostered among Jewish children on Lag BaOmer.

The atmosphere was electrified when emcee Rabbi Meyer Greene of Chabad of Tarzana, thrilled the crowd when he introduced a captivating performance by the ladder acrobat Uzeyer Novruzov.

The main highlight of the day was the legendary children’s singer Uncle Moishy, whose exhilarating performance ignited the audience, encouraging them to sing and dance along.

The grand finale arrived with a mesmerizing performance by Jewish music star Eli Marcus, whose musical journey began two decades ago as a young boy at the Los Angeles Lag BaOmer Unity Concert, where he sang alongside his famed uncle Avraham Fried. Eli’s talent elevated the event, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.

The spirit of Jewish unity was palpable as Rabbi JJ Duchman from Hillel Hebrew Academy and Morah Srula Chaiton from Kol Yaakov Yehuda invited children from diverse schools and groups across Southern California to recite the Rebbe’s 12 Pesukim in unison. The two are following in the footsteps of their father, Rabbi Mendel Duchman, a driving force of youth activities in Los Angeles, and their esteemed grandfather Rabbi JJ Hecht OBM, organizer of the Lag BaOmer parades with the Rebbe at 770.

Amidst the atmosphere of joy, singing, and dancing, a profound moment of silence enveloped the gathering. In a deeply moving tribute, Kovi Baitelman, a 2nd Grader from Cheder Menachem, was bestowed with the honor of reciting a Posuk in loving memory of his uncle, R’ Eli Baitelman OBM. The untimely and tragic passing of Eli, mere days before Lag BaOmer, infused the moment with an intensified sense of heartfelt reflection.

Later in the program, Chana Bluma Cunin, the 9-year-old daughter of the late Rabbi Tzemach Cunin OBM to the stage. In memory of her beloved father, who had diligently organized the annual Lag BaOmer Unity Event for many years, Chana Bluma recited the Posuk of “Ve’Ohavta” together with a group of her cousins who joined her.

The annual West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch event was dedicated as a loving tribute to Rabbi Tzemach Cunin, Shliach of the Rebbe and director of Chabad of Century City and co-sponsored by Chabad Youth Programs and Kol Yaakov Yehuda, in honor of The Rebbe’s Diamond Daveners.

The annual Lag B’Omer event was organized by Rabbi Mendel Duchman, Rabbi Meyer Greene, and Rabbi Chaim Nochum Cunin.

Yossi Burston of YB Productions coordinated the gathering, which drew participation from over 15 local schools and groups, including Bais Chaya Mushka of Los Angeles, Cheder Menachem, Chabad of South Bay, Chabad Pico Learning Center, Etta Israel, Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, Gan Chabad, Gan Israel Preschool of Tarzana, Jewish Creative Preschool, Lamplighters Jewish Academy, Legacy Academy, Morah Mushky’s Preschool, Morah Sima’s Preschool, Yavneh Hebrew Academy, and Zlata’s Little Lights.

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