On November 7, the winners of two "home" rounds of the Republican Jewish Competition "From Time Immemorial" came to Almaty from ten cities of Kazakhstan. All guests, from young children to students, were accommodated by the Community Center Rimon. Thirty finalists - the most distinguished, most brilliant participants of the quiz gathered all their knowledge, the will to win, and creativity to fight for the victory in the finals. Unfortunately, project participants from Kyrgyzstan were not able to join us (for reasons beyond our control).

"From Time Immemorial" is a real exam with difficult questions and dedicated fans. Tasks were assigned, deadlines for submitting answers set. Finalists started making their presentations. This was a demonstration of meaningful and heartfelt belonging to the Jewish people. There were tears in the eyes of parents - tears of joy for children who often know the history and culture of their ancestors better than adults. It is also important that children raised in the Jewish community centers in Kazakhstan are seeking to learn the traditions of the Jewish people.

About two hundred people - participants, parents, and guests gathered for the announcement of the quiz results in the cozy hall of the Resort "Samal". There were greetings from President of Mitzvah Association Alexander Baron, Regional Director of the Sohnut Agency in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Alexandra Briskin, Regional Director of the Joint Committee in Kazakhstan Ilana Levy, "From Time Immemorial" Project Director Tatiana Slivinskaya.

The task of the jury (consisting of Tatiana Slivinskaya, Alexander Baron, Alexander Abramovich, Anna Sailyants) was not easy. All 282 original participants of the quiz are hardworking and talented children as was demonstrated by the three competitive rounds. The jury evaluated the completeness of the topic, the presence of own attitudes to the question, independent thinking, general erudition, quality of presentation, responses to additional questions.

The Jewish Agency Sohnut provided prize computers for winners in each of three age groups. Here are the winners - the lucky owners of notebooks: in the younger group Polina Semenova (Almaty), in the middle - Ekaterina Chernova (Karaganda), and in the older - Alexander Tselovalnikov (Pavlodar). Congratulations! Nine-year old Polina Semenova thoroughly developed the topic "My World", told about her family and her trip to Israel. Ekaterina Chernova made a great presentation of a Jewish fairy tale. In the youth group Alexander Tselovalnikov has become the undisputed leader. His story of Babiy Yar, supported by the demonstration of photographs, excerpts from the German film, and Shostakovich symphony, was the most impressive.

All thirty contest participants who have reached the third round, were awarded by the jury with certificates and a week holiday in the Resort "Samal". Nine finalists have received valuable gifts, and the Project Director Tatiana Slivinskaya - a commemorative painting in batik made by the Almaty communal art studio.

Jury member Alexander Abramovich said: "In every age group, apart from the winners, there were a few people who especially stood out. Among the younger group I would like to mark David Levine (Astana) and Arina Ruban (Semey). In the middle group I remembered Olga Guralskaya (Kostanay), Semen Guretskiy (Petropavlovsk), and a research on a Jewish wedding made by Lisa Daerbaeva (Pavlodar). In the older age group Alexander Guralskiy (Kostanay) was very smart.

The contest "From Time Immemorial" ended on November 7 but the finalists are not going home yet, they will have a holiday week in Almaty - full of fun Jewish holidays.

Ludmila Starodubova