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Almaty 08.07.2005
 "Jews in Alma-Ata", a new book on the history of Kazakhstani Jews was received from a printing-office today. It is authored by the head of "Rimon" JCC history club Isaac Greenberg. The book is sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund, and with direct involvement of the Association of Jewish National Organizations "Mitsva".
"This book appeared as a result of lasting search in archives, meetings, conversations, and correspondence with lots of people, study of various publications and writings" the author said.
The book helps to preserve the memory of those who contributed to the development of Kazakhstan and its former capital. And it is also the story of Almaty, the city constantly changing.
 The book is focused on people. However the author did his best not to turn it to some kind of a reference book, but to present life stories against the changing city and history.
"It wasn't easy to restore the past" Isaac Greenberg shared. "Sometimes it was just impossible to find simple data of those who had been recently at the top of the ladder. To inquire their relatives and colleagues was also a difficult task, because many of them had moved abroad."
That is why the author took background information of his heroes from department and state archives.
 According to the author some of the topics remained uncovered, such as Jewish religious life in the Soviet times, or representatives of such popular Jewish professions as school teacher, pharmacist, doctor. Life stories of Jews banished to Alma-Ata in late 20th - early 30th also remained a blind-spot.
The issue of "Jews in Alma-Ata" is an important event in life of Kazakhstani Jewish community. With the help of "Mitsva" Association Jews begin to feel themselves as something bigger than people who simply do their job.
www.mitsva.kz
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