This month has brought us a wonderful holiday of Passover, which we celebrate every year to commemorate the exodus from Egypt, liberation from slavery, and formation of the Jewish nation.

This holiday was special also because we had guests from Jerusalem, Israel: Nahman Skotnevsky and Daniel Goulb who helped us to observe all the rules to prepare for Seder. Before the holiday we received matzo. It was done in good time, before the holiday. The Hesed building was cleaned in accordance with Passover kashrut not to leave a single trace of khametz. We were especially particular about preparing the kitchen. We used special dishes. Our guests spent two days with us and held two Passover Seders.

The eldest woman in the community Hayunya Grinberg recited prayers, while Hesed Director Elena Dmitriyeva lit the candles. We had a full house including elder generation, who remember Passover traditions from childhood, and their children and grandchildren. On the first Seder, the eldest members of our community started reading the book "Passover Aggadah", while on the second - the youngest members. Our children behaved as "clever sons" asking the question, "What rules, laws, and rituals the God commanded you to follow?" Our guests told about all rituals and that Jews are not supposed to eat after the afikomen that symbolizes Passover sacrificial offering.

We were eating matzo, which symbolizes bread of slavery and poverty. We were doing this as liberated people comfortable leaning in the left elbow. We were eating bitter verdure dipping it in "tears" (salty water) shed by our ancestors during their living in Egypt. We drank four glasses of wine, had a holiday meal as a God chosen people and went home well after midnight.

We had many events during the Passover week held in the community clubs in Taraz and in Merke village. On the last day we traditionally met at Elba cafe. Hesed Director Elena Dmitriyeva congratulated everybody on the occasion and told about the holiday. The traditional part was conducted by Hayunya Ginberg. Children congratulated everybody in Yiddish. Then we watched a performance on this historic topic showing how people were breaking down idols when they had found out that there was a single God who would help Jews to liberate. The bottom line of the story was "love your neighbor" idea, that is most important for Jews.

There was a quiz for all the audience "Do you know Passover traditions?" It was a great pleasure to see that adults and children answered all the questions. Even the youngest, Artem Kou and Ruslan Kobrik, at the end of the holiday wished to everybody "Meet next year in Jerusalem." All together were solving holiday crosswords and participated in the competition "Connoisseurs of Jewish Traditions", received prizes of a holiday lottery. Most active were children who danced, played the games "Egypt Executions", "Erudite". At the end of the party, many children received award certificates for active participation including Artem Krenev, Yaroslava Gvozdevskaya, Daniil Slesarevskiy, Maxim Smerichinskiy, Arina Kou, Yuliya Kobrik, Leader of the dancing group Mariya Koroleva, and psychologist Olga Grinberg. Award certificated were granted to adults as well including Lyubov Frolova and Anna Kobrik for making children’s costumes, Mikhail Bunin for the help provided to organize the event. One of the guests, Irina Rosman, shared her opinion about the holiday, "It was great, very interesting, historically complete, and easy for understanding for younger generation! There was a lot of fun and natural socializing. It is good that adults were taking active part in the children’s performance and in all events. We had a time of our lives. I thank all the organizers."

We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, head office in Almaty and personally to Alexander Baron for the help and support.

Coordinator of Children’s Programs Alla Koroleva