Albany School Marches in Parade

The Capital city of Albany sent a platoon of mounted police on horseback to lead the Maimonides School Lag BaOmer parade, plus an escort fleet of police cars front and rear to block traffic on all streets along the prestigious Madison Avenue route to the city’s central Washington Park.

The weather forecast had called for thunderstorms, but Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai prevailed, with sunny glorious skies after a very long cold winter.

Maimonides Alumnus Eli Kochman trained and directed middle school boys for the drumming corps marching band, while Art teacher Morah Rivi Bahir designed fiery felt cap “maduros.”

Rabbi Yisroel Rubin launched the parade by welcoming Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and Rabbi Akiva, and the Rambam school’s namesake. Dignitaries and guests from Brooklyn and Montreal added to the festive atmosphere.

Maimonides students proudly carried the colors with Rabbi Akiva’s life and teachings banners. They rallied at the park with 12 Pesukim and enjoyed the beautiful outdoors and sports. Oneonta Campus Shliach Rabbi Meir Simcha Rubashkin led a dynamic football game with the boys.

Continuing with the Rabbi Akiva theme, 7th graders with Rabbi Michoel Caras released their year-end “Torah Times News” video “Torah Through the Ages” from Moshe to Yehoshua, Rabbi Akiva to the Rambam and Alter Rebbe, right down to Albany NY! See the short video at www.TheTorahTimes.com.

The Torah Times (which is one of the 71 institutions established at the Rebbe’s 70th birthday) has a special Lag BaOmer history as it was featured with a large clock “Live with the Times” sign on 770 during the Rebbe’s Lag BaOmer Parade of 1973 when few other signs were hung (see bottom right of historic picture).

Rabbi Yisroel and Rochel Rubin were sent as the Rebbe’s Shluchim to Albany in 1974, founded the Maimonides School in 1980 and are being honored this June 5th at the school’s 30th annual dinner: www.maimonidesschool.org/dinner