|  Eight
days of Pesach passed on very quickly for Karaganda community. It was due to the
dense schedule and numerous activities organized.
 On
April 16 the community gathered for the first Seder conducted by rabbi Matitjahu
Luis. Besides for the prayer in Hebrew he told about the exodus.
The
Jewish community of Zheskazgan celebrated Seder for the first time on April 17.
About 50 people of all ages came to "Dala" restaurant. As there are
no self-dependent Jewish organizations in Zheskazgan, the celebration
was organized by Karaganda Hesed "Miriam".
Coordinator of Hesed on Wheels program Vladimir Volodarsky gave each
of the guests a box of matzoh. The religious program coordinator Alexander Abramovitch
conducted the Seder. In the course of the celebration many of those who had not
known each other before made friends, and the atmosphere became warm and easy.
After the meeting the members of Zheskazgan community expressed thanks to Karaganda
Hesed for organizing their FIRST Seder.
The same day employees of Hesed "Miriam" conducted Seder
for the Jews in the town of Saran. On April 20 Pesach celebration for children
was organized. About 160 people - mostly members of the family club, youth
club, and Jewish Sunday school "Mehina" - came to take part in
it.
Children were the most active participants of the holiday.
They answered quiz questions, sang songs and acted in a pantomime. The youth club
presented a play on the subject of the exodus.
On April 24, the last eighth day of Pesach 180 members of Karaganda
community gathered again. Since that day is called Yom tov, "Shemesh"
JCC decided to devote the meeting to crossing the Red Sea. Directors of Hesed
"Miriam", "Sokhnut", "Shemesh" JCC, and "Mehina"
Sunday school congratulated the guests. They were treated with traditional foodstuff
- matzoh, maror, haroset, hazeret, and beitzim.
Everybody
was delighted at the concert prepared by the community center. A quartet sang
"Dayenu" and some other Jewish songs in accordance with the Jewish tradition -
without accompaniment, and they sounded beautifully.
It is generally agreed
that the Pesach week in Karaganda was a success.
Alexander
Kotlitsky |
