Berlin City Lag BaOmer BBQ

In an effort to increase cultural events for young Jewish adults in Berlin, my friends and I hosted a Lag BaOmer Barbeque last night, with help from JDC and also from Jung und Jüdisch, an organization of the Liberal movement that organizes events for young Jewish adults in cities all over Germany.

There are several meanings attributed to the holiday Lag BaOmer, although many people simply view the holiday as an excuse to celebrate. We modified the holiday tradition of building a bonfire by instead safely grilling in Görlitzer Park in Kreuzberg, Berlin.

When we arrived to set up, the grilling area was filled with Turkish families. But as the sky grew darker, most of the families headed home, and our guests arrived with food and drink to share. Since yesterday was Saturday, Jung und Jüdisch led a beautiful Havdala as the sun set. Bringing the JDC Berlin and Jung und Jüdisch networks together proved to be very successful, and the celebration continued late into the night.