Children and adults at the Chabad Lubavitch Lag B’Omer Parade and Celebration in Toronto’s Earl Bales Park were amazed to be allowed to get a ride up in a real, full size, hot air balloon.
“Never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever imagine that my children would get to do something like this,” said Donny, the parent of two excited children as they were being lifted out of the basket of the balloon at the end of their ride. “Chabad has shown itself to be ahead of the pack once again.”
The hot air balloon was donated by the Remax Real Estate Company due to the efforts and lobbying of one of their greatest salesmen: Randy Cohen, a member of Chabad of Thornhill.
It was all part of the full day Parade and Celebration in honor of Lag B’Omer. This multifaceted extravaganza was sponsored and arranged by Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario and Tzivos Hashem Canada together with all the Chabad Mosdos of The Greater Toronto Area.
Preparations began many months ago, in fact, the day after last year’s phenomenal success.
The day began at 12:00 with a rally and amazing trampoline show at the park’s amphitheater. Though it was cloudy and misty, nearly all of the 1200 seats were full of eager, joyful children and their parents.
Rabbi Meyer Gitlin chaired and MC’d the rally while Rabbi Yossi Hecht – standing in for his grandfather, the unforgettable Rabbi JJ Hecht – led the children through the 12 Psukim. Dovid Altein on keyboard along with the bochurim of Mesivta and Yeshivah Chabad – many of whom were TRC (The Rebbe’s Clowns), kept the spirits on a high. Rabbi Yossi Gansburg who orchestrated this part of the day’s events should truly be commended for an outstanding job.
The rally led to a Parade complete with floats – built by Yeshivas Lubavitch and the 8th grade of the Cheder Chabad – a Yids on Wheels motorcycle escort, the Tzivos Hashem Marching Band and signs and banners of every shape and color, marching down Bathurst Street.
Special thanks to Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman for taking care of all the arrangements – including permits, police and the closing of a main thoroughfare for the parade, and Rabbi Itchy Grossbaum for coordinating the floats, banners and more.
As the parade came to a close, with the marchers arriving back in the park, a full afternoon of activities began. There were 10 fairway rides for children of all ages. There was an entire array of carnival booths manned by the girls of Bais Chomesh High School. There was cotton candy and popcorn, and hotdogs and hamburgers. Along with face painting, caricature drawings and music by Bounce Entertainment, participants enjoyed rides in the hot air balloon.
The day’s celebration concluded with a traditional Medurah Bonfire with music by the SimanTov Band.
Though the day started with clouds and rain, it quickly changed to full sunshine, allowing the many thousands to fully enjoy the day.
Special thanks to Esti Steinmetz of Lubavitch Day Camp, Rabbi Yonah Vilenkin of Tzivos Hashem Canada and Rabbi Moshe Spalter for this amazing event.
I think you mean Aunt
I imagine if you could go to every single lag b’omer parade in the world!! I mean just think about it. You had a time machine and it let you go back 24 hours every morning. But only on lag b’omer. Imagine how many parades you would have attended!! You would probably have eaten thousand of hotdogs but that wouldn’t have killed you (via death by colesteral) since you would have also PARADED thosands of miles and burned off all the hotdogs. But you would probably have spent thousands of dollars on enterance fees……….Splash!!…opps….sorry I just fell into my negel… Read more »
were offeneded were not mentioned by one of the first commantsor any because we rule the whole entire schoool
we were there and there are even pictures of us
go grade eight of bais chaya mushka toronto
yay go bais chomesh! we totally rocked the parade
the floats were incredible where do u learn how to draw like that (whoever made them)!!!!??!!??!!
we are the best skool ever!! we rock toronto!
without us what would the carnival be like?!!!!!!
K-55 did a spectacular job putting on this Lag Bomer extraveganza. Thanx for keeping Toronto lebidik
Thank you Rabbi Spalter for all you have done and continue to do especially on being the inspiration for the young chevra K55 will go m’chayol el chayol! All your hard work is much appreciated!
Nechama Dina Karp!
esti is my ant
you were the best!!!
thank you rabbi spalter, for all your hard work and months of preparation for this amazing event, whith out you it couldnt have been such a great success
You are the coolest Rabbi ever!! and the BEST MC! they were so lucky to get you!
GOTCHA! cutest teacher ever!
so sad we missed your posuk.
the derens
Yaya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
best parad ever
go tzvi zaiontz!!!!!! cutest kid ever!!!!!!!
and gooo bais chomesh!!!!!!
toronto realllyy great!!!! rabbi mann… yashar koach on the teffilin 🙂
i spy bc girls and teachers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bais Chomesh is the best school ever!!!!!!!!!!
Rabbi Mann!!!!!! Sure will miss those Moshiach classes!
go bc!
as do all the women and girls who volunteered to help her pull it all off . We couldn’t do it without her or all those who helped Yasher Koach!! It keeps getting better and better next year in Yerushaalayim!!
Lubavitch Toronto is very lucky to have a person like Esty Steinmetz with them! She is the powerhouse and hard work that makes all t hese programs and events possible. She is a real dugma of what a Shlucha should be like!
Hey Chayala Steinmetz, you did a great job with the Posuk! we are so proud of you and your Mommy!!
Keep it up
Thanx for all your hard work
BUFFALO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bais Chomesh U guys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go zaidi shemtov!
Zaida, Uncle Itchy, Mendel G baum, Mushky Hecht and Mushky Silberberg, but where was Chabadana?
after all u really worked hard and put in many volunteer hours, Thanx for all u did and do !!!
wow!! Rabbi Grossbaum sr. and jr, way to go!! This parade looks better than all other!! Mushkie H we love your spirit!!
but, otherwise u got it right!!!
Another wonderful event! Esti! You’re awesome!!!
go zeida grossbamand mushkie hecht!
you’re relative in england
It’s all esti!! She’s the one who shld b thanked for everything from a to z!!
Keep up the awesome work 😉 Love your friends in Simcha Monica
Toronto has the most amazing Shluchim! They work incredibly hard caring for their community. All those who walk into 770 Chabad Gate know how Rabbis ZA Grossbaum & M Spalter great every mispalel with a warm handshake and open smile. The closeness that is fostered among the community is Toronto’s little known secret! Keep it up.
Estee Steinmetz, you’re unbelievable! Keep up the great work!
Yossi Hecht is the best
The music and sound @ the parade was amazing!
This was an unbelievable function.
I spy Mushkie Hecht
MISS THAT PLACE!!!!!!!!
You are unbelievable, you are taking care of every aspect with loving care from A – Z, as if the Rebbe MHM and Rabbi Hecht A”H are looking down from their podium at “770”, reaping nachas. Yasher Koach.
PARADIN
We couldn’t have done it without your help from early morn to later on u worked and showed your true dedication Thank u Toronto community u got what it takes to pull it off !!
we could not have done it without your help yasher Koach and thank you for your tremendous Mesiras Nefesh and dedication Toronto community u rock!!!
Yeruchem L. we knew you could be a good clown but you were great as a chicken. Keep up the good work and making all the kinderlach happy.
give your parents a sach nachas and also the dover
you’re the best, even when you’re not in the west!!!
what a BEAUTIFUL program and so much achdus & unity in toronto!
(and nothing better than spotting Miri, brochie and freddie! u all look great!)
wow most impressive parade of all~
beis chomesh ur rockin!
wahoo all those beautiful signs where made by bais chomesh! go us!! was awesome! schools awesome!
go nechama hecht and miri k!!!!!
The best school and the best girls in the world!
The parade wouldn’t have happened without you!
Especially Shoshana, ND, and the dormies!