On November 26 the Jewish community of Almaty city congratulated Jacob Lazarevich Bronshtein on his eightieth anniversary. Our dear teacher of Hebrew became a year older and a year wiser, and we also grew up with his help. Average men rarely know about such people. Calmly, with dignity and great love he helps to build the community, and at the same time manages to slip away from the shatter of a camera. "I do my best for the Jewish people - for my family, is it so unusual?" - ask his eyes every time you would make your way towards him with a dictaphone.

  His lessons are far from usual language study at school. Through the lessons of Hebrew Jacob Lazarevich arouses his students' love, devotion, and respect for the Tradition and history of the Jewish people. Our former nationals who now live in Israel often give thanks to Bronshtein in their letters. Those who he taught Hebrew gladly tell their teacher that now they speak Hebrew better than many other people, including those who came back to the motherland earlier.

  It is no wonder that so many guests came to the celebration of Jacob Lazarevich's birthday. Friends, students, members of the clubs of "Rimon" JCC, staff of "Mitsva" Association and Hesed "Polina" wished him first of all sound health. Here are the words written in the greeting card:

  "Dear Jacob Lazarevich! The time, strength, and warmth you give to people are not wasted, but sprout like seeds on a fertile field and reveal in sincere gratitude.
  May your home always be warmed with cordiality and love of your friends and relatives. And as is customary in the Jewish Tradition, we wish you, Jacob Lazarevich, to live till 120 years!"

  Jacob Lazarevich Bronshtein is a candidate of historical science, a member of the Board of Community Fathers, a heaven-born teacher who knows six languages (including Yiddish), and a thoughtful colleague. We are glad that such people support our community - caring, but strict when it comes down to mistakes. And even accepting the congratulations of his students in Hebrew, he kept correcting grammar and pronunciation mistakes.

Galina Goldberg