Rabbis from Israel visited Karaganda Hesed to conduct the celebration of Pesach according to Jewish tradition. We had lot’s of preparations to meet the guests - fully cleaned Hesed, removed khametz, bought food for the holiday Seder.

First of all, rabbis koshered the kitchen. Till the very late evening, boys and girls and employees of Hesed and Jewish Community Center Shemesh were preparing for the Seder. We saw for the first time how kitchen, dishes and all tableware was koshered, how food was checked. Pesach is celebrated every year in Karaganda but in a secular style. This year, it was celebrated according to all traditions for the first time.

Some words about our guests. Alexander and Daniel study in Israel. They are very friendly, open, smiling people. They gave profound answers to our numerous questions. It was a great pleasure to meet them.

During the three Pesach evenings, the doors of the Center Shemesh were open for the Jewish community of the city. Before the Seder, we lighted candles and recited prayer. After that, an unknown part of the holiday began. Haggada was recited in Hebrew and Russian, it was interesting for everybody. Cheerful Pesach songs were sung. Those who did not know the words just clapped their hands. For many of us to celebrate Seder in such a way was a real revelation.

Together with adults small children came. They asked rabbis questions, looked for aphikoman and were cheerful and full of energy in spite of the fact that the celebration finished a way after midnight.

On Friday in the morning, the oldest members of Karaganda Community visited our Center. The beautiful Alexander’s Yiddish became a pleasant surprise for the old people. Many of them tried speak to him using this native to them but almost forgotten language. When Alexander told a Passover story in Yiddish, everybody who knew this language tried to interpret. Guests stayed for a long time.

Alexander and Daniel stayed in Karaganda for two more days. On Saturday, they participated in the meeting of the club "Reading Torah" and together with the club’s members read the chapter of the week, and participated in the discussion. On Sunday, the young people had a tour of the city and liked it very much.

The Pesach is over but it left kind feelings in hearts of all of us. Let us express our greatest gratitude on behalf of the Karaganda Community for the real holiday.

Larissa Brodskaya