Every year on the 1st May we celebrate the Day of Unity of People of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is a country which has a spot for people of every nationality, where community centres develop and coexist peacefully, dioceses which maintain their existence, culture, traditions in order to pass those on to the next generation of children, as children are the future of any nation. It will in turn be their role to preserve and pass on their ethnic traditions, the fate and the prosperity of the people depends on the younger generation.

  This year this great spring celebration coincided with a tragic date for the Jewish people - The Day of Catastrophe. This is the day of remembrance of six million Jews, including a million children, who were killed by the Nazis, of the spiritual resistance of the Jewish people who were placed in these inhumane conditions. We remember their resistance to the Nazis in every way possible and their participation in the partisan actions.

  During this day all the Jewish people pray that these times of death and horror will never repeat.

The next significant date is the 7th May, the Day of Remembrance of the Soldiers who died in the Arab-Israel conflicts and gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and people. The first conflict was the war for independence. The date of the fall of the first victims of the first war for independence was 4 Iyar 5708 and became the Day of Remembrance of the Soldiers. This day we deliver our solidarity to the families of the deceased soldiers. On the 8th May, Israel, together with the whole world celebrates the Day of Independence of Israel. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Israel. 60 years ago, on 14 May 1948 the National Counsel headed by David Ben Gurion marked the creation of the Jewish Sovereignty in Erets-Israel, which was named the Republic of Israel.

  This year on the 8th May the Jewish Community Centre, jointly with the Family Club "Ahdut" met with the veterans of WWII and the workers of the Labour Front. On the 9th May, we celebrate the Day of Victory of the USSR over the Fascist Germany. As we move into a new age from the date of the Great Victory over Fascism, our feelings of gratitude and recognition deepen for all who gave their lives during WWII. During this day we remember all the participants of this horrific battle, who made the Day of Victory possible through their heroic actions.

  The function on the 8th May was warm and touching. The people celebrated at the festive tables, with the favourite songs of the 40’s performed by Mark Bernes. Many speeches of appreciation of our veterans were pronounced by the Director and officers of Hesed, and the members of the Family Club. Poetry and songs were performed to our veterans, who in turn shared their memories. Those who could not come to the function were not forgotten: they were visited and congratulated in their homes.

  Valentina Gerr read her poetry about Israel. Vera Grinberg, the life member of our club, touched the audience with more poetry. Congratulations to our veterans were pronounced by Alla Koroleva, and everyone sang several songs with our vocalist Masha Koroleva. On behalf of my generation I would like to bow to all who risked their lives on the fields of battle, who through their hard work achieved the Victory. From the depth of my heart I would like to say, "Live long, veterans! Always be with us!" LEST WE FORGET!

Ida Bukina