During more than 50 years the spiritual life of the Jews of the Soviet Union was "forbidden ground". Many people were deprived of opportunity to get acquainted even with nuts and bolts of a history and culture of the people.

Ours Taraz Branch of Republican Jewish Welfare Public Association "Centre Zabota - Hesed Polina" exists right to make difference in this situation. Lately many Jews have addressed to the Jewish life, to national traditions. We bring in the contribution to business of strengthening of the Jewish self-consciousness and connection with the people. For many, the basic rules of Judaism remain "blank spot".

In spite of the fact that there is no synagogue in Taraz, any man, whether it is Jew or representative of other nation, can come to our Jewish centre to get acquainted with a history, customs, Traditions of the Jews. There is all necessary literature for this purpose in our small library.

This year Hesed of Taraz city is 5 years old. For this time we have made first steps and grew stronger enough. We started from nothing. Gradually gained experience not only in rendering the charitable help, but also in conducting of the Jewish holidays.

Any Jewish holiday or memorial, are connected to a history of the people. Therefore, celebrating holidays, members of a community expect not only celebratory tables with traditional entertainments, the entertaining program in cafe, but also specially prepared by our children: songs on the native language, incendiary dances to the accompaniment of wonderful Jewish melodies and performances reflecting historical events of a holiday.

Right such common celebrations play the large role in business of distribution among the member of a community of knowledge of traditions, cultures and language of the Jewish people.

Children are the future of any nation, they should protect and continue famous traditions of the people. His further destiny, his prosperity depends on younger generation. Therefore parental duty - to wake up in children interest to a famous history of ancestors to show, that Jewish children have what to be proud of have to what to trust in.

Our welfare organization renders the material help to the needy people only of Jewish nationality and members of their families living below the poverty line, such as food packages, medicines, and partial payment of municipal services and other.

In Hesed, besides the programs on rendering the charitable help there are many free-of-charge clubs, circles for our children and adults. Here they have an opportunity to study most ancient Jewish language - Yiddish, to get acquainted with a history, traditions and customs of the Jewish people.

The doors of our Hesed are open to the people of any nationality, to which the history of the Jewish people, Jewish way of life, Jewish culture is interesting. Welcome!

Ida Bukina