Kiryas Joel - Thousands Expected as Hasidic Enclave Gears Up for Lag Baomer

KIRYAS JOEL, N.Y.  — Thousands are expected to gather at a Hasidic Jewish enclave in upstate New York for a holiday celebration.

The village of Kiryas Joel (keer-YAS' JOE'-ell) will hold its annual traditional bonfire to mark the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer (log bah-OH'-mer) on Wednesday night. Organizers say the celebration will be attended by tens of thousands of Satmar Hasidim from all parts of New York.

While bonfires are held in many Jewish communities, organizers at Kiryas Joel say theirs is the largest such celebration in the United States.

Kiryas Joel was incorporated in 1977 by members of the Satmar Hasidic sect from Brooklyn.

AP