Rosh-Ha-Shannah is always a long-awaited holiday for the Jewish community. And at lat that wonderful day has come.


  According to the Tradition, the evening, devoted to the New Year meeting, was opened by Mark Vitkin, a leader of the Jewish cultural center. He congratulated the auditorium on the 5765 year coming and further Svetlana Makarovskaya, the community center director told about holiday's history and customs.


  Drawling, alarming sounds of shofar were the sign of the New Year coming. Ilya Lemeshevsky dressed in a holiday kippah and talit, read blessing. Svetlana Eskin, one of the community doyens lit holiday candles.


   A table was laid in accordance with Rosh-Ha-Shannah tradition - apples, honey, granates, and fish head.


   The "Tashlich" ceremony also was held very interesting. Everybody was eager to "throw" his or her sins into vessels with water that had to be poured to the running water afterwards.


   Holiday evening was embellished with a joint performance of vocal groups - "Shalom" and "Hotihot" - which sang a funny New Year song, written by Hesed librarian Igor Zhigarlovsky. Everybody could also hear such songs as "Bashana-Habaa", "Tishrey", Happy New Year" and "Yerushalaim shel zahav".


   The atmosphere was cheerful and holiday. Going back home, everybody wished each other happy and sweet New Year!

Svetlana Makarovskaya