Many hopes are assigned by the Almaty Jewish community on two young men. Jakov Lomega and Anastasy Ursulova represented Republic Kazakhstan at a seminar on leadership in communities "Metsuda" which has taken place in Kazan from March, 22 till March, 27th. The project "JYL" (Young Jewish Leadership) has begun its work in 2001 under direction of Itsik Averbuh who was “Joint” director of programs in Northeast Ukraine. Now more than 120 persons graduated this course.
"We were learned to make projects, we discussed them", Jakov Lomega tells. "As trainer Shai explained, we were preparing for community work, and this work should be interesting for each member. To be the leader means respond on requirement of a community, and we were trained such things".
The selection round has taken place in March. The ones who passed it will continue training. As Jaakov and Anastasy mark, the seminar program was hard (for example, rules which were necessary for carrying out) but they took for themselves from discussions, trainings and business games a lot of useful things.
"Some tasks seemed even strange and unusual", shares impressions Anastasy Ursulova. "For example, we were given fairy-tales known by everyone and we had to find the main problem. "The Little Red Riding Hood" was given to us and we defined it as the story about social trouble of older persons: if the Grandmother has money, she could buy meal herself instead of waiting for pies". The selection round revealed the individual qualities of each participant. Certainly, our young men hope that they managed to show their activity, creative mind and leader qualities.
Participation in such programs is extremely important for the Jewish community. We get new experience; young people cooperate to each other getting new knowledge and even new experience. Together with our young men we hope that they will really become communal leaders!

Maiya Polumisko