(L-R) Brothers Shlomo Walker on acoustic guitar; Pesach Walker on drums; Mordechai Walker; Michael Tugetman singing; and David Backer on guitar. Photo (c) Robert Kalfus
By Robert Kalfus
The Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer is the 33rd night and day of counting from the second night of Passover, marking the progression of the Hebrews’ Exodus leaving their slavery in Egypt, to seven weeks later, when on the 50th day, they received the Torah standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, celebrated with the festival of Shavuot (weeks).
Lag BaOmer is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar.
Lag BaOmer commemorates that in the weeks between Passover, the Hebrews leaving enslavement in Egypt and Shavuot, the Hebrews receiving the Torah, a plague raged among the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva, teacher of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, because they “did not act respectfully towards each other”. The weeks between the second night of Passover and Shavout are therefore observed as a period of mourning, with joyous actions proscribed by law and custom. On Lag BaOmer the dying ceased, so Lag BaOmer carries the theme of loving and respecting one’s fellows.
Northeast Jewish Center’s Rabbi Craig Glasser and his wife Rebbetzin Luba Glasser used the industrial size grill located outside, and the synagogue’s kitchen to cook all the hamburgers, frankfurters, delicious roast chicken, and serve French fries, potato salad, pickles, potato chips and the usual BBQ foods, with options for vegan eaters. Kosher marshmallows cooked over a safe bonfire were served for dessert, and watermelon!
More than a 100 people enjoyed sitting outdoors on a not chilly evening, seeing the stars in the sky and the musical stars of Pey Dalid’s non-stop almost three hour musical performance bringing “the fire of HaShem to the world” which moved some to dance, and almost everyone to sing and clap to their favorite musical numbers.Shlomo Walker explained the band’s name, saying “In Hebrew the letter, Pey represents the number 8, the spiritual and infinite, and Dalid represents the number 4, the physical and finite. Our music bridges the core of those dualities, connecting not only with our Jewish brothers and sisters but with all people throughout the world.”Based in Yonkers, Pey Dalid has performed as a band for more than 20 years, is available for all types of events, has three studio albums, and performs and many venues.
Learn about the Yonkers synagogue’s events and services at (914) 337-0268 or https://www.NortheastJewishCenter.org.
