Clients of Hesed Astana came together as a big united family to meet the New 5,771 year. We wanted to follow all wonderful traditions of Rosh Hashanah as our ancestors did. At the beginning of the celebration we read the prayer "Maariv" then greeted each other with the words, "May you be signed up for a happy year!"

According to the tradition, we had a wonderful sweet scented honey on the table, sweet apples, dates, and pomegranates that we were eating saying, "May the G-d increase our achievements as the pomegranate grains!" And, of course, the honored place on the table was occupied by a big fish head!

Hesed Director Elena Levina read out congratulation from President of Mitsva Association Alexander Baron and recited a poem about Rosh Hashanah.

Coordinator of the Jewish Traditions Program Mikhail Kreichman told about the creation of this beautiful holiday, its peculiarities and traditions. During Days of Awe, when the G-d judges the world, angels expect every Jew to say something good about other Jews. It is important to see good in the people around you.

For example, in the amazing warm-hearted life-loving person Lyubov Leibovna Monastyrskaya, who regardless of her old age always finds strength to come to Shabbats, the synagogue, attend meetings with interesting people. Evgeniya Vitnina and Mira Kocherygina are always ready to set a holiday table and share their recipes. We are happy to say kind words to the reliable and punctual Svetlana Shilman and our medical doctors Nina Logacheva and Lidiya Mirkina for their sympathy and good recommendations. I remember my colleague once said, "I never worried about my children and now about my grand children because Lidiya Solomonovna was with me." We should make it a rule to find good things in others and talk about it not only at Rosh Hashanah but every day.

The holiday went very well. People were happy, smiled with joy. We sang songs and told jokes and funny stories. We were leaving with good wishes for each other, may the New Year be happy.

Lyudmila Tsymbalyuk