New Year! As a rule, this holiday is always associated with snow, fir-tree, carnival, lots of fun and rich holiday table. But for Israeli people Rosh-Ha-Shannah is, first of all, a day of confession. A day, when a person should get forgiveness from those whom he had offended. In Torah this day is called the day of horn sounds.

   Rosh-Ha-Shannah is translated as "the head of the year". It means that as man's living depends on his head, so the life of people in the coming year will depend on the decision of God at Rosh-Ha-Shannah period. That's why at holiday time everybody feels solemn alarm and hope for the better. That day we put on beautiful clothes, read solemn beads and organize holiday dinners in accordance with the Tradition.

   Thus on September 16 the Jewish community in Taraz celebrated Rosh-Ha-Shannah in one of city cafe. Before holiday dinner started, all the comers heard a short story about the way Israeli people celebrate New Year; about Jewish New Year peculiarities; about the reason Torah prescribes to sound the Shofar; about dishes that should be eaten during the Jewish New Year.

   "Sweet New Year!" - Jews all over the world wish each other, dipping apple pieces in honey. Young generation of the community prepared a new entertaining program for this New Year holiday. Jewish dances (staged by Nikolay Tsikynov), fine songs, funny plays - all these made the holiday bright and unforgettable.

   I would especially mark Kolya Tsikunov, who had inspired all the comers with his joy. Sweet smile and plasticity of the boy impressed the auditorium. Every piece of his performance - let it be Jewish song or dance, was accompanied with loud applause.

   Everybody got a lot of good energy. Happy new Year, dear friends!

Ida Bukina