In the lead-up to Rosh Hashanah, the city of Barnaul – the capital of the Altai Krai Region – hosted “Jewish Culture Days.” Timed to coincide with the beginning of the festive month of Tishrei, the events were a unique gift to local residents on the 280th anniversary of the founding of Barnaul.
The opening of the festivities took place at the Jewish Community Center, which simultaneously held an open house, offering visitors a glimpse of Jewish communal life in Barnaul. The JCC was full for the occasion, as Chief Rabbi of Barnaul Yisroel Noah Kamenetsky greeted the crowd and spoke about the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
One of the highlights of the celebration was a concert by the "Classic" string quartet, which performed "Fantasia" by Soviet-era composer Moses Weinberg, and a performance by Boris Berger, who played songs by Jewish composers and on Jewish themes.
Alexander Dietz, the chairman of the Coordinating Council of the Union of Community National Associations and National-Cultural Autonomies of the Altai Territory, expressed his hope that Jewish communities belonging to the Union will continue to develop and expand.
Deputy Mayor of Barnaul Yuri Petrov wished the Jews of Altai Krai a happy New Year and read Rosh Hashanah greetings from Acting Mayor I. Savintsev. The guests also included the chairmen of other local ethnic organizations, including those representing the Kazakh and Azerbaijani people, who shared many kind words with Rabbi Kamenetsky and the community.
Rebbetzin Lieba-Masha Kamenetsky hosted a lesson on preparing challah and invited guests to a presentation of traditional Jewish cuisine for Rosh Hashanah: gefilte fish, apples with honey, carrot tzimmes, honey gingerbread, pomegranates and more.
The Jewish community has also organized exhibitions in two public libraries. One is a photographic exhibition on Rosh Hashanah and the other is a multi-media exhibition entitled "Sources of Jewish Wisdom." Valery Truevtsev, the head of the government’s department for relations with civic institutions, gave an encouraging speech at the opening about the role of the community in inter-ethnic accord. The exhibition will last a month, during which time visits by schoolchildren are planned.
Rabbi Kamenetsky appeared on a local television channel to speak about the upcoming High Holiday season and to wish all Jews in the Altai Krai a happy Rosh Hashanah. He noted that the Jewish Culture Days were successful and that similar events would be organized by the Jewish community of Barnaul in the future.