The club members of the Day Centre of Hesed “Polina”- war veterans and workers of rear, waited with impatience for one of the most important and beloved Jewish holidays, Pesach. We were congratulated by the president of Association "Mitsva" Alexander Baron and the director of Hesed Inessa Chugajnova.

  Volunteer Olga Drobnokhod told us about the history of the holiday: the excessive slavery and humiliation of Jewish people in Egypt, the ten plagues and the acquirement of the physical and spiritual freedom by our folk.

  This was followed by the festive Seder. Three matzahs: "Israel", "Levi" and "Cohen", separated by napkins from each other, were set in front of each guest and a keara was placed on the table. The celebration host talked about the Four Cups of wine used in the Pesach Seder which primarily symbolize the four distinct redemptions promised by G-d to the Hebrews: (1) "I will take you out of Egypt", (2) "I will deliver you from Egyptian slavery", (3) "I will redeem you with a demonstration of my power", and (4) "I will acquire you as a nation". The quiz on Pesach was conducted after the meal and our experts in Jewish traditions took active part in it. They received prizes and all the guests got small gifts.

  Liliya Shparberg and Lenina Matlina shared their memories of Pesach celebration in the family during the Soviet times, while Lydia Tokarskaya, Lenina Matlina, Ludmila Brodskaya and Felix Perlov expressed their appreciation to the workers of Hesed.

Avigal Belyanina