On May, 12th there came Lag-ba-Omer. On this day members of the Astana Jewish community gathered in a beautiful synagogue of the centre "Habad Lubavich." They came with children, who were very keen to learn more about the history and the traditions of the holiday, and the chief rabbi of Astana city Yuda Kubalkin described them in fine details. The bonfire was lit in the synagogue court and everybody danced and sang round it.

The bonfire, being the source of flames and light reminds us of the book Zachor, whose name means radiance and light. "This is the light which helps the wise teachers of Torah to solve the most difficult problems of Jewish philosophy of life," said Yuda Kubalkin.

The children brought with themselves potatoes and onions and baked them in the fire. Then, while singing songs, they walked around the synagogue with flags and posters of the colours of fire, red and yellow. After that, children had more fun by playing with bows and arrows.

Adults did not waste any time either: they placed tables beside the bonfire and arranged a festive meal. Both children and adults enjoyed a special treat - baked potatoes which were just prepared in the fire.

Mihail Kreichman