On the Pesach eve, we learned about the blessing of the sun, which brings luck. Even nature itself promised joy as if it heard our requests of long-needed warmth. Spring came. Tender snowdrops and bright tulips blossomed; blooming gardens were beautiful to look at; birds sang. Spring holiday Pesach arrived.

We had rare guests from Israel - students Eli Isroel Metsler and Nakhman Khaim Skotnevskiy to conduct Passover Seder according to all cannons. Eli Isroel is a kosher expert. He made our kitchen, tableware, and dishes kosher. Under Nakhman’s guidance, we cooked a kosher holiday meal.

The first Seder took place in cafe Elba. Hesed Director Elena Dmitriyeva congratulated everybody. Then, the youngest members of our community congratulated everybody in Hebrew and Russian. Hayunya Grinberg told us about the holiday traditions and recited blessing of the candles and wine.

Everybody watched the movie "An Amazing Dream on the Pesach Eve" in which little Sara saw in hear dream that she participated in the events related to Exodus of Jews from Egypt - when Moshe came to pharaoh demanding to let Jews go, and how pharaoh made excuses and about all 10 Egyptian plagues.

According to Jewish tradition, each generation should participate in Exodus from Egypt. We conducted a game-contest with our children "Exodus from Egypt". Children-actors skillfully showed how they approached the sea with great joy of gained freedom, birds flying over them, the sea splitting, lot’s of noise from running people, sheep bleating, Jews finally arrived in the promised land flowing with milk and honey.

Under the guidance of Vera Zhulanova, an artist-restorer from an exhibition center in Taraz, the children symbolically drew the sea. In "our" sea lots of silver and golden fish swam hiding in green seaweeds; "water" was going up and down. Everybody present was asked to go through the symbolic sea. Children and adults, as in the ancient times, went through the sea, which split in front of the God’s chosen people...

We organized a game Erudite "How well do you know traditions of Passover Seder?" All guests answered questions. Finally it was time to light Passover candles and all guests tried to fulfill the commandment. Then Nakhman and Eli started the traditional part. Everybody recited Pesach Agada, sang songs, ate matsa, and drank kosher grape juice. Tables were laid according to the holiday traditions.

The next day, the second Seder was conducted in Hesed. During the Pesach week, special classes, Kabbalat Shabbat, and excursions were held.

Elena Dmitriyeva
Alla Koroleva