|
Shalom! Today we are going to make an excursion to places relating
to the history of Jewish life in Semipalatinsk. There are few places of that
kind. Semipalatinsk is the only town in Kazakhstan with an old Jewish synagogue
that has been preserved. This fact alone is enough to draw our attention to
this place. That is why we suggest going for a walk with three stops -
each of them is a step in the history of the Jews in Kazakhstan.
So, the first stop is the Jewish cemetery in Semipalatinsk. An old
cemetery book helped us to collect much information about this place. It has
entries that date back to the first burials made in 1892. Today the book is
kept by Anna Midlina, who received it from her grandfather, Semipalatinsk rabbi
Ruvim Mostinsky.
And now we arrive at Baiseitov St., near house number 51. It is
here that the first Jewish prayer house was established. Paying homage to the
religious building, its new owners did their best to preserve its original look
during reconstruction. There is still a niche for Aron-Kodesh and
a ladder leading upstairs to the women's balcony.
 The
next stop is the corner of Ibraev and Kabagarov Streets. We are standing in
front of a two-storied red-brick building. It is the second synagogue.
It was established here, because in old days it was forbidden to build a synagogue
near a Christian church. And this district has always been called "Jewish
row". Most of the Jews lived here.
Years pass, new people come, the look of towns changes. And only
the memory of the past that is preserved in books and in people's minds remains
with us. It helps the nation not to forget about its background, its history
and traditions, and helps it to retain its identity.
Nina Krutova
|
