On June 3 a jubilee exhibition of Ilya Fishman’s photographs opened in Hesed Polina. The author is an outstanding personality, a geologist, a correspondent-member of the Academy of Mineral Resources of Kazakhstan, a photographer, journalist, speechwriter, KVN player, and a sportsman. The audience was very interested in his diverse pictures. Everybody was intrigued to the see an unusual view of the famous "Walling Wall". Ilya explained, "I have a secret here. I took a picture from the male and female sides. That’s why the picture is so dimensional". Writer Adolf Artsishevskiy was surprised to see his own portrait. Gorny Altai and Tien Shan, Italy, Vatican, Bulgaria, and Israel. The exhibition gave us a chance to see these countries through the eyes of the author.

The official part was opened by President of Mitsva Association Alexander Baron who congratulated Ilya Fishman. Retro Club "7:40" performed songs in his honor and addressed Ilya Fishman with these words, "Dear Ilyusha, We appoint you the honorary member of our Club. We always admire your amazing enthusiasm, spirit, and kindness." Then Ilya was presented with an album of memorable pictures. Volunteer Lyudmila Brodskaya recited her own poem to congratulate Ilya Fishman.

Friends, colleagues, and journalists were speaking with admiration about Fishman, Geologist and Photographer, a talented person. Even a young school student Kiril said that he was proud of Ilya Leonidovich’s work and hoped it would be continued. A well-known environmental specialist in Kazakhstan Mels Eleusizov said, "Ilya Leonidovich is a very intelligent person. It is always a pleasure to talk with him. We will soon issue an album of natural landmarks that should be preserved for future generations. I admire his being an active citizen. Ilya Fishman is a person of global vision".

Ilya thanked everybody for the kind words and answered the question why the exhibition is called "Lehaim", "This is the most popular Jewish toast, which is translated "For life!" Haim mean "life" in Hebrew, to be more exact "lives". This word has many meanings, which shows the great respect Jews have to life, its value. Speaking of it, I think every person lives many lives. And I am not an exception. In 1962 I moved to Kazakhstan - and it was a new life. Got married, got children, grand children - every time a new life. When I took up photographing my life changed again. The name of my father, given to him at birth, is Haim. So, I am actually Haimovich. I am grateful to my parents. They have taught me a lot. I inherited love to sports and photographing from them. Do you know what "hesed" means? Kindness, care without limits - this is a complex translation of the short word "hesed". It is an amazing organization. Old people are treated here with free lunches; there is a medical program, a library, clubs, studios, classes of Hebrew and Jewish Tradition. I would like to thank this hospitable home and its management. Thank you for giving me the chance to show my works to people, and I could also have a closer look at them in your exhibition center."

The author was asked about his plans for future work. People asked to tell stories of people and landmarks on the photographs. We will be waiting for new works of this talented photographer. The exhibition will be open for a month. Everybody is welcome!

Lyudmila Starodubova