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First of all children were told a story about Lag Ba'Omer - why
it is celebrated and what people should do this day. And do you know what the
Jews do on Lag Ba'Omer? You must have forgotten! If so, start remembering with
Mazal Tov children.
Rabbi Josef Telushkin says, that traditionally
the holiday has some military elements - children are taken to a park or
out of town, where they play with bows and arrows.
One more
habit which is none the less pleasant is making fire. Children eagerly pick up
firewood, and then stare at the flame.
 Unfortunately
this year the weather did not favour us - it was raining almost every day.
That is why Lag Ba'Omer was held in the premises of Hesed "Polina".
But capricious nature could not spoil the festival!
The
children were told that their ancestors hid a message for them in Hesed. It had
to be found, otherwise children could not learn what it was about.
"Where
should we look for it? There are no secret places here!" three-year-old
Ilya Lushkov was surprised. "Aunty Ann's cleaned everything, she's even
found my button, but no letter!".
And then
it proved that the caring ancestors also left a paper with prompting riddles.
Having answered the questions, the children found out where the letter was. They
entered the next room and found the TREASURE. But it was not the end!
 There
was only an outline of the picture in dots, and the children had to draw it till
the end. Having finished they saw unusual faces. They were smiling, but when turned
upside down they were sad.
Such faces on Lag Ba'Omer are symbols
of change from sadness to joy, from darkness to light - to the TORAH LIGHT.
The festive meeting lasted for several hours. The children found out
many new interesting things about their people, and of course got a lot of pleasure
from communication with each other.
Oksana
Sibgatulina |
