BUBBLES AND BALLOONS await those who attend the 10th Annual Lag B’Omer celebration of Jewish Unity at Alpenrose Dairyville May 22.
Free fun for all ages set at Alpenrose
By Jewish Review
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On a holiday associated with Jewish unity, the community is once again invited to a free celebration of Lag B’Omer at Alpenrose Dairyville, 5-8 p.m., May 22.
The 10th annual community-wide celebration of Lag B’Omer will feature carnival games, entertainment and activities for all ages. The event traditionally draws hundreds of people from across Portland’s Jewish spectrum to the free celebration of Jewish unity. Kosher food is for sale during the event.
Since this year’s celebration falls on Thursday evening, numerous activities related to Shabbat are in store for attendees.
“Shabbes in the Shtetl” is the theme of this year’s celebration, according to Chaim Wilhelm, who is coordinating the event. Candle-making and challah-making booths will give families something to take home to enhance their Shabbat celebrations.
Entertainment this year will include Joe Mishkin, who will wander the grounds creating balloon animals, hats and toys for visitors, as well as performing on the center stage at 5:30. At 6:30, “The Bubbleman” will take center stage. Weather permitting, the Bubbleman can make bubbles as big as a baby elephant. When his storm of hundreds of thousands of bubbles wash over the crowd, kids “go crazy” catching them.
Though this is the 10th event at Alpenrose, Chabad of Oregon—the lead sponsor of the event—has been hosting Lag B’ Omer celebrations in Portland for 25 years. Some 30 Jewish organizations support the annual event.
Lag B’Omer is Hebrew for the 33rd day of counting of the omer (sheaves of barley), which begins on the second day of Passover.
“In the time of the Mishnah, 24,000 students of the great teacher Rabbi Akiva died between Passover and Lag B’Omer—the deaths ended on Lag B’Omer,” said Chabad of Oregon Director Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm. “It is said they died due to a lack of respect between one another. Rabbi Akiva is the one who promulgated the idea that loving your fellow is the basis of the whole Torah.”
“The deaths ceased with the return of unity, so Lag B’Omer is a day for all of us to emphasize our unity and love and caring for one another,” said Wilhelm. “That is why Chabad instituted this event—for the purpose of all the community regardless of age or affiliation coming together in a pleasurable environment.”
Alpenrose Dairy is located at 6149 S.W. Shattuck Road.
For more information on this year’s event or to sign on as a sponsor or volunteer, call Chabad of Oregon at 503-977-9947.