Rattling of gragers to muffle Haman's name makes Purim the noisiest and jolliest of Jewish holidays.

  On Sunday, March 16 the Jewish community of Almaty gathered in Lermontov theatre to have fun and make a noise. The organizers of the festival - Consular department of the Embassy of Israel, JDC, Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, "Mitsva" Association, Hesed "Polina", Jewish Congress of Kazakhstan, "Or-Avner" Association, and the Jewish Religious Center did their best to give enough joy, gaiety, and jokes for the whole year.

  "I would like to greet you, my brothers, not only those sitting in this room now", said Alexander Baron, the President of Association of Jewish National Organizations of Kazakhstan "Mitsva", "but also the Jews of 92 Kazakhstani localities who have gathered to celebrate Purim. We are happy that even distance can't break the unity of the Jewish community! Purim, shalom!"

  The community also was greeted by the Ambassador of Israel in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Moshe Kamchi, the Counselor of Israel in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Dan Meiri, executive director of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Fyodor Ossinin, rabbi Elhanan Kohen and the President of "Or-Avner", rabbi Shevach Zlatopolsky.

And the colourful merry festival began. Both guests and actors wore masks. Beautiful Esthers and wise Mordecais could be met everywhere, but of course mostly on the stage.

  "Rimon" Community Center did not let the audience be bored. Members of family, youth, and women's club "treated" the guests with their talent. Comic music miniature "Esther" performed by the women's club won the hearts of the audience and the jury. The actors got the first awards for "The Best Female Performer" and "The Most Exotic Ahashverosh".

  The youth also did not fall behind. Many-coloured costumes, painted faces, smiles and laughter appearing here and there inspired the guests. In their sketch "Or-Avner" actors told the story of the holiday in details. Watching Haman's intrigues, the audience laughed until it cried.

  The performance of a famous singer Alexander Rehels was a pleasant surprise for the Jewish community. Several days before he presented "Mitsva" Association with several CD's of Jewish songs he sings.
The holiday gradually moved from the stage to the lobby. There was live music, funny clowns, and presentation prepared by the computer class of Hesed "Polina".

  The revelry increased. The theatre was not enough for it - it poured out to the street and flowed round the planet!

Galina Goldberg