Youth Led Way in Wilkes-Barre

Bais Menachem Youth Development Program once again held its annual Lag B’Omer Jewish Pride Parade & Community Celebration in Wilkes-Barre’s famed Kirby Park.

“It’s the bochurim who make it happen each year,” said director Rabbi Uri Perlman. “The Yeshiva students are busy for weeks before the event building floats, making signs, helping with publicity and setup and of course making sure everything runs smoothly the day of.“

The Lag B’Omer festivities provided something for everyone. Lead by a marching band consisting of the Mesivta d’Kingston Shiur Aleph, the parade boasted close to ten floats and over 150 Jewish school children marching with balloons, signs and spirit. Proudly marching over several lanes closed to traffic on the landmark Market Street Bridge, the parade drew spectators and news coverage alike.

At the park, festivities began with a children’s rally lead by Rabbi Yehuda Green and storytelling by Rabbi Zvi Perlman followed by a delicious cookout, carnival booths, bounce-houses, inflatable challenges, archery and more.

Event organizer, Rabbi Ilan Weinberg, commented, “Boruch Hashem this year’s Lag B’Omer drew over 200 participants over a broad cross-section from the Wilkes-Barre, Kingston & Scranton Jewish communities.”

About to enter it’s 20th year, Bais Menachem Youth Development Program has been leading the way as an alternative yeshiva for teens seeking meaning and who will benefit from a supportive, personalized environment.

Bochurim, who arrive from diverse backgrounds, are shown the right tools, resources and guidance to explore Judaism and themselves and to acquire a direction for the future.

Bais Menachem offers full-time learning, a semicha program, high school equivalency, career and technical training, professional counseling and support services, and a regular trips and extracurricular activities. Bais Menachem’s flagship program caters to young men ages 16-21 and maintains a thriving additional division for younger teens, ages 14-16.