Sukkoth is a harvest time, time of hut building. It is celebrated all together, by the whole community. Harvest is reaped; it means that people can rest until it starts raining.

   And indeed, despite a lot of clouds in the sky in the morning, it didn't rain. It's not a time for it! And the sun brightened three sukkahs, built by the representatives of Jewish community in Almaty.

   Sukkoth celebration was held in "Nauriz" sanatorium. About 200 people - clients, members, volunteers, members of city clubs of Jewish organizations, as well as friends - gathered to celebrate the holiday.

   Having decided to include competitions in holiday meeting, organizers declared the best Sukkah contest. The first hut was built by children - "Mazl Tov", "Etgar" program and "Osher" club members. The second one was created by volunteers and "Retro" club members. And the third sukkah became a temporary home for Family club. Contest participants demonstrated a perfect taste. Hut turned out to be not only firm, but beautiful as well.

  But inventive organizers didn't want to judge sukkah only by its outward appearance. Groups had to give a presentation of its masterpiece  - tell about Sukkah history and Tradition. And again contest participants gladdened others with their smart brains, fine sense of humor and presence of talent.

   Yong generation staged an interesting puppet play, in which puppet-father told his daughter and son about Sukkoth history. A joint group of volunteers and "Retro" club members demonstrated their vocal talents. As for Family club, it showed a play "Jewish forefathers tell about Sukkoth holiday", which astonished imagination of children and adults. Guests of the holiday especially marked an extremely sociable David Tzar with five cellular phones, performed by 22 year old Aleksandr Butenko.

   Fair judges - community members, decided that it was just impossible to choose the best Sukkah-2004. Each hut had something special, unique that was worth paying attention to it, what other huts didn't have.

   - Till this day we couldn't even imagine that there could be a three-room sukkah. Well done, children! - Old people smiled.

   The holiday was continued by playing merry games. Elder generation took part in a contest "Karaoke - Jewish sons". The holiday didn't left indifferent neither grandparents, nor their grandchildren. On saying good-bye, community members thanked organizers and asked:

   When would we meet again?

Galina Goldberg