On August 31 the Jewish community of Aktobe city celebrated the festival of the Jewish book.

  "Shalom! We are glad to see you!" - with this words visitors of the regional dramatic theatre were welcomed.

  Children rushed to refreshments on tables, and old people shared news with each other:

  "Have you seen our children's works? Members of the drawing group got the first prize in the drawing contest.

  "And have you read the last issue of "Davar" newspaper? You haven't? There was an article about our community. By the way, don't forget to call on the library, there are new interesting books."

  A group of young men is looking at "Life of Our Community" photo newspaper. Amateur photo reporters did their best to tell about Hesed's everyday life now with humor and now seriously.

  "How can it be me?" - somebody is asking shyly. Hey, Vitya Starostin has recognized himself.

  "Welcome, dear guests," the presenter Irina Soboleva is opening the celebration. She has said a lot of warm words about every hero of the festival. See yourself:

  "Unselfishness, kindness, and love are the main Jewish principles used by Jewish doctors of our city in their work. Their patients still remember their names with thanks. These people in white smocks saved lives of those on whom other doctors passed death sentence."

Every Jewish anecdote and comic story is a focus of worldly wisdom, collection of kind and witty advises. "Jewish Humor Phenomena" - this serious and detailed report was presented at the festival by Mayra Mukanbayeva.

  And how can we do without our "Mishak" theatre? This time actors presented a sketch on Bashevis-Zinger's story. A poor man Godi gave a lesson to a miser Moyzer. The audience admired at a brilliant play of Georgy Segal, Natalya Iglevskaya's wonderful performance, naive-like acting of Anechka Yurman.

  "Mishak" actors are famous not only in our community. The troupe got the second place in the regional dramatic festival, where the actors fascinated the professional jury with their play. Polina Savitskaya was acknowledged as the best actress and invited to the staff of the regional dramatic theatre.

  The light is dimmed down, and "Atikvah" ensemble is going upon the stage. Their songs about long-suffered Israel and proud Israeli people touch hearts of the audience, and Tanya Nazarova's tender voice moves guests to tears. Tanya is singing "Ave Shalom", a prayer for Israel, surprisingly heartily.

  Many warm words were said about Hesed workers: volunteer Maya Reznik, couriers Denic Panov, Vitya Starostin, Igor Nikonov, and Nadezhda Meshcheryakova. Their everyday work is indispensable. And most work on preparing celebrations falls on their shoulders.

  The guests did not want to leave.

  "Thank you for this holiday" - they repeated leaving the hall.

  "Now we feel, that we are together, we are one family, we are Jews".

Dmitry Matveyev