London witnessed a scene unlike anything it had seen in decades, as thousands gathered for a massive Lag BaOmer celebration led by the noted mashpia, Rav Shmuel Shmelka Biderman.
The event, held on Friday afternoon of Lag BaOmer—just hours before Shabbos, which began in London after 8:30 p.m.—was organized by a group of young avreichim who sought to bring the entire kehilla together for a centralized hadlakah. It took place in the large courtyard of the Yesodey Hatorah school.
Presiding over the event was Rav Shmelka Biderman, the less widely known but increasingly prominent younger brother of the renowned mashpia Rav Meilech Biderman. A son of the late Lelover Rebbe, Rav Alter Elazar Menachem Biderman, Rav Shmelka serves as the rov of the Lelover kehillah in London.
Standing atop a specially constructed platform, Rav Shmelka—whose impassioned style and eloquence closely resemble that of his famed brother—delivered stirring words of hisorerus to the thousands in attendance. The crowd, which included roshei yeshiva, rabbanim, dayanim, and bochurim, listened intently as Rav Shmelka called for heartfelt tefillah, particularly on behalf of the ill in the community, mentioning specific names in need of a refuah sheleimah.
“I can wake you up,” Rav Shmelka cried out, “but I can’t bring you to life!” His plea thundered through the crowd, followed by soul-stirring singing.
The event’s emcee, R’ Avrohom Yaakov Landa, oversaw the proceedings and auctioned off the honor of lighting the medurah, which was purchased for £15,000 by philanthropist R’ Aharon Goldman.
Providing the musical accompaniment was the renowned baal menagein R’ Shmili Steinmetz, along with a choir, who led the crowd in uplifting songs in honor of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai.

{Matzav.com}