In this April day, it was a snowstorm with strong wind. After spring warmth bad weather did not frighten Kostanay Jews who gathered in cafe Chas Pik to celebrate Pesach because it is a sacred day, a day of joy.

  On the holiday table next to the anchorperson Vladimir Lyakhovetskiy there were three matzahs and ceara with chicken neck, boiled eggs and bitter herbs symbolizing the bitterness of slavery. To the right, there was puree made of apples, wine, and mashed nuts, which reminded us of clay which our ancestors used to make bricks in Egypt. Everything was arranged according to the tradition.

  The anchorperson recollected the story of one of the most important Jewish holidays - the holiday of physical and spiritual freedom. We listened to Jewish melodies performed by Vadim Chashkov. Children recited poems devoted to Pesach. Everybody filled their glasses with wine as it is necessary to drink wine four times while reciting blessing prayers.

  Vladimir Lyakhovetskiy went around the room to congratulate everybody present. Saxophone is heard. Songs in Yiddish and Hebrew were performed by Vladimir Alexanin and Anna Fisenko. According to the tradition, the Seder is finished with the words of hope: "Next year in Jerusalem!"

  For some Kostanay people this wish will come exactly true - some families are going to Israel for permanent living, others will go to Israel to visit their children who study or work on the historic motherland. For all others, fresh matza, which was really this time, was the greeting from the ancestral home.

Lidiya Kazakevich