On Iyar 18th, on the Lag-ba-Omer Day, the thirty third day of Omer, members of the Jewish community of Astana – youth and Hesed clients gathered in the synagogue. According to the tradition, we made a fire. We were glad to see that some of the firewood was brought by children. The fire as a source of warmth and light reminds us of Zoyar book which means "shining". We were singing and dancing around the fire. Children, according to ancient traditions, held archery competitions. They had brought onion and potatoes and were baking them in the fire. It was a lot of fun to take them out of the fire to eat!

Mikhail Kreichman