2,000 Celebrate at Boston's Lag B'omer Concert & Festival

On Sunday, May 18th, several Jewish organizations in the Boston area united to produce an unprecedented event, drawing a crowd of nearly 2,000 people from all over Eastern Massachusetts. 
With a unified website and social media push, Lag B'Omer Boston became the largest jewish family event of the year. With the JCC of Greater Boston hosting the event on their beautiful West Lawn, sponsorships from CJP and the Israeli Consulate, and participation by all of Boston's Jewish Day Schools, it was truly an event for Boston to remember.
After shaky weather forecasts, it turned out to be a beautiful day. The crowd enjoyed many attractions including moon boucnes, face painting, archery, bubble fun, roving jugglers, sports, cotton candy, freshly made kettle corn, and food by Rami's. 
A lively concert by the popular 8th Day Jewish Rock Band from Los Angeles was the highlight of the event, as they performed their hit song Ya'alili (over 2 million YouTube hits) among many others. 
"This is the fourth year that we are doing a collaborative Lag B'omer event" said Rabbi Dovid Bush" director of the Chai Kidz division at the Chai Center, one of the coordinators of the event, "this year, we decided to go big".
Children representing the various organizations led the crowd in the recital of some traditional verses. A highlight was when the fire pit was lit for a sing-along, a Lag B'Omer tradition. The event was brought to a close with a much anticipated raffle for a brand new bike.
Rabbi Mendy Uminer of Chabad at Chestnut Hill, who MC'd the event said, "This was the perfect way to celebrate Lag B'omer, a holiday that celebrates Jewish Unity, bringing together people from all cross-sections of the Jewish Community".
"This was by far the largest Lag B'Omer event Boston has ever seen. The spirit of unity and joy was palpable throughout the concert and festival" said Rabbi Mendy Krinsky from Chabad of Needham.

The event was put on by The Chai Center of Brookline, Chabad at Chestnut Hill, Chabad of Newton Centre, Chabad of Needham, Chabad at Harvard, Boston Chabad, and The Friendship Circle.
Participating schools included: Maimonides School, Solomon Schechter Day School, JCDS, The Rashi School, Gann Academy and New England Hebrew Academy.

www.LagBomerBoston.com
www.facebook.com/LagBomerBoston