We thank the Most High for miracles and deliverance during eight days of celebrating Chanukah. For heroism, rescue and signs, which G-d brought to our ancestors those days. Chanukah reminds that at one time Jews were threatened with spiritual destruction, but revolt and military victory have crowned by a miracle of burning of oil. Each year already for a lot of millenniums we light Chanukah candles in memory of these events.
In Pavlodar kind tradition became to begin a holiday with lighting of Chanukah candles on the square near CUM- here once lighted the first Chanukah candle.

In his statement rabbi Shmuel Karnaukh told, that light of Chanukah is especial light. Light never is at war with darkness, and the darkness just recedes from everywhere, where the beam of light will penetrate. Therefore we should light candles after sunset They talked about that Chanukah candles burn in honour of a victory of small light over chasm of darkness, in honour of a victory of the simple, modest people, what were Matityagu Hasmoney and his supporters. Also, light of Chanukah burns in honour of the Jews, which were lost on days of Holocaust in honour of those noble righteous people of the world, which tried to rescue or to facilitate fate of doomed, in honour of warriors, lost for independence of Israel. And that do not go out in centuries light of Torah, as did not go out 2 thousand years ago light of the Temple light - let the light do not grow dark, let the candle burns! The mood at the gathered was joyful and solemn. All present were distributed doughnuts. Then a holiday continued in synagogue. Those who could not take part in community holiday celebrated Chanukah in Hesed at the Day centre.

On the eve of Chanukah the celebratory measures passed. In family club passed Makkabiada. 5 families participated in it: the Petrovs, the Feldmans, the Begagolins, the Mikhaylenkos, and the Dayerbayevs. The various competitions showed force, speed, dexterity of competing, and quiz - good knowledge of history and Tradition of holiday. The team of the Petrovs won. Then at the family table everybody drunk tea with doughnuts and recollected ridiculous situations.

Each Jewish holiday has the special cookery. Therefore for the women from female club it became tradition on the eve of a holiday to share culinary recipes. There were prepared Chanukah dishes. Hanna Lobchenko told about a history of a holiday. In Children's club the kids thoroughly prepared for Chanukah. They listened to histories, moulded from clay and made appliques, drew Chanukah. And in days of Chanukah lit candles, ate the doughnuts and sang Chanukah songs.

In youth club already traditionally has passed Chanukah disco, the measure was carried out together with "Sokhnut". The guys from other national-cultural centers were invited to a disco. The active workers of club conducted interesting games and quiz, where the guys could show the knowledge in a history, tradition of the holiday. Hag Sameakh Chanukah!

Irina Tverytneva