Children and adults danced and marched down Bay Ridge Avenue from the Chabad of Bay Ridge to Owl’s Head Park to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer on May 26.
The parade and picnic at the park was a warm welcome to the neighborhood for one family who recently moved from across the Atlantic.
“It was wonderful, we just moved from Israel to Bay Ridge about a month ago so it was really heartwarming to take part in a parade for Lag B’Omer here,” said Ben Goldman, who came with his wife and two children. “There’s few holidays where it’s mitzvah to be happy and express it, this is one and dancing is one way to express that.”
The holiday marks the death of a Second-century Jewish mystic who asked the anniversary be celebrated with happiness and fun. The festivity is also a one-day break in an otherwise contemplative 49-day period between the festivals of Passover and Shavuot where parties and weddings are forbidden.
The celebrants at Owl’s Head Park made full use of the day of merrymaking. Jugglers entertained children, a live band played, and everybody enjoyed some free grub.
