|
 Every
Jewish holiday means a meeting of the community, union with the Torah and Tradition
of our nation. Having got the opportunity to freely speak about their ethnicity,
FSU Jews began openly celebrating Shabbat, Pesach, Sukkot, and Chanukah. Modern
Kazakhstani community resembles a young strong sprout growing up on deep roots.
Maybe because of this similarity to a tree we like Tu B'Shvat so much.
Unfortunately this year Tu B'Shvat came right during the wave of
influenza that overcame Almaty. And in order to make it in a safer way, the
leaders of Hesed Polina decided to celebrate the New Year of Trees in small
groups.
The staff of Almaty Hesed was one of the first to put a date-palm
stone into the soil. Our big united family gathered at the festive table. Tatyana
Risman, the head of the Day Center, told us about the essence and history of
Tu B'Shvat. As is customary to eat fruits peculiar for Israel and first of all
seven kinds of fruits and grain mentioned in Dvarim Book, there were dates on
the table. Sima Branovitch, the head of Hesed medical program told about the
bred-fruits she tasted while in Israel.
It was significant that the festive dinner was organized in the
room buried in verdure. It does not matter that there is snow outside, and the
temperature is 200 C below zero. Tu B'Shvat has come and our community flourishes
more and more every new year!
Galina Goldberg |
