On September 22 "Crows' Island" rest home hospitably
received members of the Jewish community in Petropavlovsk. It was there that
the Jews celebrated Sukkoth. 40 adults and 25 children came to the holiday.
Building of Sukkah turned to a merry game. Participants were divided
into 3 groups to compete for "The Best Sukkah". They were working
with gusto, very quickly and qualitatively. Finally the results were announced
- the winner was Ruzya Linkov's team; Klara Semykina's team got the second place,
and Lubov Levkovich's team took the third prize. Everybody got awards and presents.
The characteristic feature of our holiday was the appearance of
"Arbaha Minim". Thanks to Alexander Baron's well-timed visit, sets
of four plants for Sukkoth were brought to Petropavlovsk. It was for the first
time that people saw Etrog and Lulav. Prayers and blessings were said. After
the ceremony there was a festive meal. Games and quizzes for everybody became
the final touch of the celebration.
The weather also did not let us down. Warm sunny day, one of those
not peculiar to our region, helped to elevate people's spirits. We went home
tired, but satisfied and inspired.
Lev Kuntarovsky
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