By COLlive reporter
Photos: Menachem Cohen/COLlive
The children’s rally in front of Lubavitch World Headquarters in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, NY, is expected to be the largest such rally taking place in honor of Lag BaOmer.
Organizers from the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), entrusted by the Rebbe to handle the event, reported that some 4,000 children are expected to participate in the event outside 770 Eastern Parkway.
This year there will be no parade, since Lag BaOmer does not fall on a Sunday. Children from all Crown Heights schools will be walking to 770, and will then enjoy an exciting program.
“It is the most ever in attendance at a rally,” confirmed Shimon Sabol who is coordinating the rally which will take place on Friday, 18 Iyar – April 30 at 10:30 AM.
He said the seating area in front of 770 is reserved for schools only and asked individuals in the community to stand on the other side of Eastern Parkway or in the plaza in front of the Jewish Children’s Museum.
The large size of the Rally presented a challenge to organizers, Sabol told COLlive.com.
“While it’s taking place outside of 770 so there is more space than inside, still, space is limited,” he said. “In order for all the children to be able to see and feel part of the Rally, we are renting benches, and not folding chairs, so as to accommodate more children in a smaller space.”
A special seating map has been designed with the help of Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, Director of Tzivos Hashem, to ensure all the schools are accommodated.
A team of volunteers has been sorting and packing a special memento for each child in attendance. Each child will be receiving a replica of a silver coin distributed by the Rebbe on Lag B’Omer 5751. The coins were honoring the Rebbe Maharash, whose birthday is celebrated on 2 Iyar, Tiferes ShebiTiferes.
The mantra of the Rebbe Maharash of L’chatchila Ariber (rise above your obstacles) will be the theme of this year’s rally, following the Rebbe’s teaching about the connection between Tiferes ShebiTiferes and Lag B’Omer, Hod ShebiHod.
“The rally will be honoring the Rebbe Maharash and the lessons we learn from his life, specifically ‘L’chatchila ariber,'” Rabbi Shimon Hecht, Director and MC of the rallies, explained. “We want to give the children a tangible way to remember this, so we will be giving out the special coin.”
Also, to help the children understand the concept of L’chatchila Ariber, a special video presentation is being created by creative director Dovid Taub with beloved kids character Itchy Kadoozy to bring the message to life.
The entertainment for the Rally has been carefully selected to appeal to children of all ages. Singer Benny Friedman will be performing songs which will be enjoyed by young and old, in addition to leading the crowd in Chabad Niggunim.
An exciting trampoline show will also delight kids of all ages.
Amazing job! Thank you for all that you do.