Thousands of Hasidic Jews converged on Kiryas Joel to commemorate life of sage

KIRYAS JOEL – Over 10,000 Hasidic Jewish men gathered Wednesday
night in the Village of Kiryas Joel for the annual holiday of Lag Baomer,
which commemorates the anniversary of the passing of Simeon bar Yochai,
a rabbinical sage who lived some 1,900 years ago.
The event was marked by a giant bonfire, prayers, song and dance.
The bon fire was lit by Kiryas Joel Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum.
Worshipers from across the Northeast attended the annual event, what is believed to be the largest celebration of its kind in the United States.