Touching March in German Capital

By COLlive staff

1000 people in Berlin took the opportunity to loudly voice their joy of living. Hundreds of people walked down the Kurf?rstendamm beginning at Olivaer Platz until they reached the M?nstersche Strasse.

The rabbis stood out from the crowd in their emerald green t-shirts. Colorful clowns, Jewish rockers on motorbikes, musicians and families painted a picture of Jewish unity.

The parade, which deeply touched many Jewish residents watching it, ended in front of the Chabad Jewish Educational Center where everyone celebrated a joyous open air street fair.

Young and old listened to the singers and musicians performing on stage, people enjoyed the food, and many languages could be heard.

The president of the Jewish Community of Berlin, Dr. Gideon Joffe, spoke about Jewish solidarity in times of trouble, and was very happy that he had met members of all the synagogues within the community.

“We want all of Jewish diversity to have a place under the roof of the United Community,” he said. 20 local Jewish organizations had called on their members to participate.

More and more people arrived during the course of the afternoon, tasting various kosher delicacies, chatting with fellow Jews and even doing a Mitzvah by putting on Tefillin.

The large friendly family celebration did not exclude anyone. There was a bouncing castle and water balls for the kids, the students of the J?dische Traditionsschule made a performance on the big stage. The audience participated with enthusiasm, sang and clapped along with the musicians, singers and speakers on stage.

“This is real Jewish unity,” said Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, Director of Chabad Lubawitsch Berlin. “Seeing the hundreds of different Jews of all types who came together to celebrate Lag BaOmer with peace and tolerance.”