The streets of Moscow haven’t seen such a spectacular sight in a long time. This year, with Lag baOmer falling on a Sunday, hundreds of Jewish children marched together with Jewish pride, carrying large signs with psukim and quotes from our sages in Russian.
The parade took place on a central street in the Marina Roscha neighborhood of Moscow. It was accompanied by a convoy of antique cars, much to the children’s delight, adding a festive atmosphere and causing a great Kiddush Hashem in the streets of the capital.
The procession marched to the large square between the “Shaarei Tzedek Jewish Chessed Center” and the Jewish Museum. There the hundreds of participants all found their seats in a most organized fashion. The event was precisely planned and overseen by the Director of Jewish Communities in Russia Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, who organized the parade last year as well. Such parades and gatherings are held every year throughout Russia, with Rabbis and Shluchim in each city and region creating similar events.
The gathering began with the lighting of a bonfire in honor of the Baal HaHilula, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, by the Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar Shlita. After singing the day’s special melodies, Rabbi Lazar spoke about the day’s special powers and strength of the Jewish children to repel every enemy and to speed up the complete redemption.
The students of the Yeshiva Ketana also took part in the gathering, preparing many of the floats for the parade and helping hundreds of Jews put on Tefilin, alongside hundreds of students from other Jewish educational institutions. Each the educational institutions also presented an elaborate and eye-catching float which caused a tremendous Kiddush Hashem and tremendous feeling of Jewish pride amongst all.
Photos: Levi Nazarov
