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Preparations have begun in Meron ahead of Lag B’Omer 5776. The Center for the Development of Holy Places, Ichud Hatzalah, and Rashbi Hachnasas Orchim are hard at work preparing for the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected on Lag B’Omer, which this year is Thursday 8 Iyar (May 26, 2016).

Officials at Ohr HaRashbi explain that each year they begin anew to prepare to accommodate the influx of people in such a short period of time, doing their utmost to improve the hachnasas orchim including this year’s tent that will provide 1,500 seats for the many visitors. The tent will also be air conditioned to provide a comfortable environment for the mispallalim visiting the area who need a break.

Ichud Hatzalah officials add that as they have done in the past, they plan to deploy hundreds of physicians, paramedics, EMTs and other units to man the event and the frontline clinic that will be operating, manned by doctors and other medical personnel.

The EMS organization will also deploy specialized vehicles and equipment towards facilitating movement amid the tens of thousands who will be present throughout Lag B’Omer as well as dividing the area into numbered zones to simplify finding lost children.

The map was used by police in a recent briefing to show the set up planned for this coming Lag B’Omer. It depicts a great deal of information including parking areas, park-and-ride area, as well as the Lag B’Omer facilities.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Mosdos HaRashbi)