Russia. The exposition "Holy Land in Russian Art" opened in the Tretyakov Gallery. The presentation was visited by Aleksiy II, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, and Natan Meron, Israeli Ambassador in the Russian Federation.

The Russian spiritual mission appeared in Palestine 154 years ago. It built cloisters and houses for pilgrims from Russia, who came to the holy places.

The Israeli Ambassador conveyed greetings from the mayor of Jerusalem to Aleksiy II, and expressed hope for peace in his motherland.

The exhibition presented more than 80 paintings, about 100 graphic works, manuscripts, books and works of applied art.

Russia. The exhibition "Jewish Book" was held in the Kostroma oblast library. Such events are becoming traditional in the city. Every year the exposition grows in size. Books from the Jewish community's library make up a considerable part of the exposition. The library now numbers more than 1300 books. It contains many works of Jewish writers - from world famous Sholom-Aleihem and Ilya Erenburg to young authors, who will only have to gain the reader's appreciation. In opinion of the library's staff, the exhibition is of great interest to the visitors, and many books are being constantly of big demand.

Russia. A sculptural composition "Sholom-Aleikhem and his Heroes" opened on December 26 on Malaya Bronnaya Street. The composition's authors are Uriy Chernov, sculptor, National Artist of Russia, and architect Garry Kopans.

According to Ludmila Shwetsova, First Deputy Mayor in the Moscow Government, "a deeply national writer, such as Sholom-Aleikhem, can't help being international". "Sholom-Aleikhem's wise internationalism, who expressed the spirit and dreams of the Jewish nation in his works, is close to other nationalities as well", - she said. Sholom-Aleikhem created a gallery of magnificent characters, which became part of the golden fund of world literature and drama. Sholom-Aleikhem's books are penetrated with love to small man.

Israel. The Virtual Museum of contemporary Israeli painters ("Jerusalem Anthology") was published in the form of an album, containing reproductions of works of 27 painters - new repatriates. Some of them - Boris Lekar, Svetlana Ostrovskaya, Arkadiy Livshits and Boris Karafelov - started their way in art in Ukraine. Their works are exhibited in many museums of the world. The album, published in English, Russian, and Hebrew with excellent polygraphy, will become a good present for art connoisseurs.