On October 10th , the members of the Jewish community and visitors came to Hesed "Polina" for the presentation of a book by Maina Kabirova "Time to collect stones". Maina Kabirova is an experienced Hesed volunteer, and our volunteers are unique people that can donate their time and skills to those in need. Another hobby of Maina Kabirova is photography. Her exhibitions "Autumn Nocturne" and "Winter Rhapsody" were displayed in the exhibition hall of Hesed "Polina" in recent years.


More than forty guests attended the presentation. There were members of the Family Club "Shalom"of the Jewish Community Centre and personal guests of the author, the President of the Association "Mitsva" Alexander Baron, Rabbi Shevah Zlatopolsky, the director of Hesed "Polina" Inessa Chugainova. Alexander Baron opened the event; he said that an ability to see unexpected in common things is a beautiful talent and wished Maina to continue delighting people by her discoveries for many years to come.


The stones were arranged on the table. Quite ordinary stones which resembled some living creatures: a dog, a mouse, a tortoise or a dragon. Well dressed and beautiful (as always!) Maina began a story about her yearly vacations in Odessa and about the strip of surf where she loves to collect stones. She brings them home and they simply animate in her magic hands. Maina also had a habit of writing rhymes from her youth; thus each figurine got its own quatrain. These figurines live on the window sills at Maina’s home; there she has her own "rock-garden".


Computer was an aide during the presentation. The slides were projected on a screen, and everyone could see enlarged images of the unique creations of the author. Maina accompanied the illustrations by reading her verses. Then the guests shared their impressions. Many warm words were said to Maina by Svetlana Nezhinskaya, Sarah Dotsenko, Natalia Kriventsova, Inessa Chugaynova and Elena Pritsker. Rabbi Shevakh Zlatopolskiy expressed his admiration of the work of the talented woman: "I grew up in Krym and remember Black sea from my early childhood. The fact that a person can see unusual creatures in ordinary stones amazes me. It is wonderful that each figurine has a merry name. We always think of bringing something Jewish into our house so that it would give to us the positive charge of energy. Wise Maina found her own way of decorating the dwelling".


Presentation came to an end. Maina thanked everyone who came to the event and presented assistants with signed books.

Ludmila Starodubova