From October 30th to November 1st, at the Resort Kazakhstan a seminar took place for 24 young representatives of the Almaty Jewish Community. These were "new" young people, i.e. those who visit the Community rarely. There was a long-time need for such a seminar because Rimon would like to see new faces, hear new opinions and expand the range of its activities. For this reason, we invited guys who are not active members of the Community, mainly Almaty students.

Chairman of the Board of Jewish Young People Roman Koseretskiy had been preparing a training program under the guidance of Irina Zaltsman for two months. Trainings at the seminar were also conducted by young people - Yakov Lomega, Nastya Borovkina, and Roman Kozeretskiy. For 24 hours of the seminar, the guys got to know each other and became friends. People who saw each other for the first time became a united team.

Young people spoke about the Jewish Community. Roman Koseretskiy made a great presentation "Who are we?" It was about our historic roots, about the way gone by Jews. Thus it was about grandfathers of these young people. The young people met Shabbat and conducted Avdolah. Most of them practiced Jewish traditions for the first time. It was important to make this event memorable.

President of Mitsva Association Alexander Baron also devoted his time and attention to seminar participants. He found time in his busy schedule to socialize with the young people. Alexander told them how the Jewish Community started in Almaty, how much effort had been devoted to this important matter, and that young people could continue this process. Young Chairman of the Jewish Cultural Center Alexander Gudkov also came to meet the newcomers.

Priority directions were selected at the seminar. These were Torah, traditions, learning languages, sports activities. Among newcomers there were students of the Academy of Sports and Tourism, which showed willingness to develop sports activities at Rimon, organize excursions and informal meetings.

Roman Koseretskiy, one of the training organizers, said: "I liked the seminar. I think we have achieved the goal to introduce the guys to each other and help them make friends. We told newcomers about our community life; let them feel their Jewish identity. I think now many of them would like to come to the Community".

Nastya Ursolova, training participant: "It was great to be at the seminar. This is a wonderful event for young people. We had unusual trainings, which we will remember. I have learned a lot. Also, I got new friends. I would like to have more of such seminars!"

Inessa Chugainova