On Augst 13th, 2009, Israeli Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Mr. Israel May-Amy and Mrs. Ambassador visited Karagandy. In the evening, the guests were expected with great interest by the leaders of city Jewish organizations and members of Jewish community - clients, volunteers, and young people.

  Warm atmosphere established from the first minutes of the meeting. Mr. Ambassador talked about cooperation of Israel and Kazakhstan in different areas, about plans to transfer Israeli experience in agriculture, tourism, medicine and other industry sectors to Kazakhstan, and about joint work in space science. This information aroused great interest, gave impetus to new projects plans.

  Hesed Director Bella Kamenetskaya told the guests about activities of Karagandy Jewish Community, about what have been done and what is going to be done, about success stories and challenges. Director of Jewish Community Center Shemesh Irina Kozhanovskaya told about annual Festival Freilehe Kinder and invited guests to visit the holiday of songs and dances next year.

  Mr. Ambassador positively evaluates activities of Joint in Kazakhstan and considers this work should be further developed.

  Talks were going on over a cup of tea. When Mr. Israel and Mrs. Ayala May-Amy left, the warm friendly atmosphere remained in the room for a long time.

  On August 14th, in Oblast Maslikhat an official meeting between Akim of Karagandy Oblast N.Z. Nigmatulina and Ambassador of Israel to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Israel May-Amy took place. The meeting was attended by Deputy Akim, Secretary of Small Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan, Director of Culture Department, Director of Center Zabota-Hesed Polina, and journalists. Long-term projects, joint cooperation plans were discussed. Mr. Ambassador forecasts that medical, agricultural, education, and culture will be priority sectors in Karagandy Oblast in future.

  The visit of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Mr. Israel May-Amy was of great interest and gave hope for future cooperation.

Bella Kamenetskaya