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On March 5 "Jews in the Land of Kazakhstan" exhibition
opened in Ust-Kamenogorsk. It was prepared by the Association of Jewish National
Organizations "Mitsva", Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Republican Jewish
Library, Hesed "Faina", and historical club of "Rimon" JCC
in cooperation with Eastern Kazakhstani ethnographic museum. It arouse interest
of not only the Jewish community and citizens of Ust-Kamenogorsk and the media,
but also the Assembly of Kazakhstani Nations, the representatives of which participated
in the opening of the exhibition.
During the whole month citizens will have an opportunity to find
out more about the Jewish people that have lived here for a long time. And for
Jews this exhibition means returning to the source and becoming closer to each
other.
"This exhibition is one more step towards making tolerance
our norm of life. Today it is the question number one for Kazakhstan, and we
are glad to contribute to friendly relations between people here,"
said the President of "Mitsva" Association Alexander Baron on the
opening of exhibition.
Why did "Jews in the Land of Kazakhstan" exhibition begin
its tour round the country from the town of Ust-Kamenogorsk? There are many
answers to this question. Here is one of them:
"The exhibition is one more step in studying the history
of Jews in the region that began several years ago when the first series of
articles "From the History of Jews in Kazakhstan" was published",
says Eugenia Karyakina, the inspirer of the exhibition and the head of the Republican
Jewish Library. "Ust-Kamenogorsk representatives took active part in
writing the first and second series "From the History of Jews in Kazakhstan".
They also made an important contribution to the First International Conference
"Jews in Kazakhstan: History, Religion, Culture". We decided to give
them a present in return - and organized the exhibition in Eastern Kazakhstan."
At independence the Jewish community of Kazakhstan gained an opportunity
to develop freely, and now you see the result of team-work of Kazakhstani scientists
and the Jewish Diaspora. Thousands of our fellow countrymen devoted their lives
to this land. By pure accident we got personal records of Jewish medical men
who lived here before the revolution. 79 personal files of pharmacists, midwives,
doctors, and their assistants. You see, history bound our people's lives. That
is why studying the past is important not only for two nations, but for the
entire country!
"Jews in the Land of Kazakhstan" is first of all books.
Books have always been sacred for the Jewish people. Scientists still find Jewish
written monuments along the Great Silk Way. Today we know that in 11 century
there was a synagogue in the town of Turkestan, and the oldest Torah scrolls
in our region were also found there.
Besides for the history, the exhibition will tell you about Jewish
culture and way of life. Jewish everyday life and holidays, wonderful engravings
and rare photos, past achievements and today's life of the community will help
Kazakhstan to look at us anew.
"There is a lot of interesting things for those who are
acquainted and not acquainted with Judaism", Eugenia Karyakina commented
on the interest shown in the exhibition. "We will be glad to answer
the guests' questions!"
Galina Goldberg
Eugenie Karyakina
Today on March 5 an outstanding event occurred in Ust-Kamenogorsk -
opening of "Jews in the Land of Kazakhstan" exhibition. The President
of "Mitsva" Association Alexander Baron said in his welcoming speech:
"This exhibition is one more step to make tolerance between Kazakhstani
peoples a standard of life".
Director of Hesed "Faina" and the head of Eastern Kazakhstani
ethnographic museum congratulated the visitor on behalf of the President of EAJC
Alexander Mashkevitch and the Assembly of Kazakhstani Nations. Leo Shik, the representative
of Small Assembly of Kazakhstani Nations in Ust-Kamenogorsk said:
"The exhibition connects us with immense culture of this ancient
people with a tragic fate."
After a potpourri of Jewish songs and cutting a dark-blue ribbon we began viewing
the exhibition.
Jews and gentiles of Ust-Kamenogorsk examined the exposits
with great interest. There were portraits of outstanding scientists and cultural
workers, photos telling about life of Jews in Kazakhstan - workdays and holidays,
family camps, and Hesed activities. And Tamila Gorelik's amazing pictures-embroidery
- "Roses", "Bunch of Lilac", "Oriental scenery".
Nina Krutova, museum research assistant, told us about all Jewish
holidays and customs illustrated with thoroughly prepared exhibits. There were
talits and tfillin, Talmud, books about "Customs and Habits of Peoples of
the World", "Holocaust" and books about modern Israel.
It's a pity the exhibition will work in Ust-Kamenogorsk only for a
month. There are so many new interesting things one can find on its stands. But
life goes on and the things that stir the world today will turn to a mere worthy
historical example tomorrow. So, to work again!
Fanya Suponitskaya |
