Burunday is located in the suburbs of Almaty. Burunday Jews cannot come often to our events as they live too far from our Center. There is no Jewish Center in Burunday but there are people who respect Jewish traditions. So we decided to hold First-grade Pupils Day and Shabbat for Jewish kids in Burunday on August 13.


New Director of Hesed on Wheels Program, Evgeniya Babalina, came to meet her program clients. She was accompanied by our youngsters Zhenya Chugainova, Nastya Ursolova, and Nikita Polishuk who did a great job performing Baba Yaga, Kikimora, and Leshy at the similar event in Almaty. They guys brought their funny and bright performance to show it to the Burunday kids.

The first of September, the Knowledge Day, is coming. The Children Initiative Program prepared presents for the future first-grade pupils - sets of school supplies. Dima Butenko received above all a new school bag with all school supplies. This little boy badly needed these things and they were provided by the Jewish Community.


On August 13, Almaty and Burunday community members met Shabbat together. There was a warm family atmosphere, traditional lightening of candles, blessing on bread, and sweet deserts for everybody. The most important Jewish holiday went very well; everybody felt at home.


We thank Valentina Gusak for giving us the opportunity to come together in the backyard of her comfortable house.

Victoria Vlasova