Photo: Mavlon Shukurudze (facebook)

Editor's Preface

The Bukharan Jews constitute one of the sub-ethnic (ethno-linguistic) groups of the Jewish people, which formed during the late Middle Ages in Central Asia (primarily within the Bukhara Emirate and partially in the Khiva and Kokand Khanates). This region subsequently became part of the Russian Empire and the USSR. In the late and post-Soviet eras, the majority of Bukharan Jews departed from their historical ethnic territory. Today, much like other Jewish sub-ethnic groups from the former USSR, they exist as a transnational community dispersed across numerous countries worldwide.

The exact population of this relatively small group remains uncertain due to several factors. According to the final Soviet census of 1989, there were 36,152 Bukharan Jews residing in the USSR (with 28,368 in Uzbekistan and 4,879 in Tajikistan). This represented an increase of nearly 1.5 times compared to 1959, when the population was estimated at 23,208. However, during the Soviet era, some Bukharan Jews were recorded in censuses simply as Jews. Consequently, experts cautiously estimate the actual number of the Bukharo-Jewish sub-ethnic group in the USSR in 1989 to be between 43,000 and 45,000, to which several thousand "Bukharans" who emigrated from the USSR during the 1970s and 1980s may be added. [1]

The mass migration of Bukharan Jews within and beyond the post-Soviet space during the 1970s—and particularly following the onset of the "Great Aliyah" in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991—has significantly complicated this demographic landscape. This migration resulted, among other things, in the partial integration of Bukharan Jews with other Jewish sub-ethnic groups and assimilation into non-Jewish environments, raising questions regarding the communal and cultural identity of the second and, even more so, the third generation of these migrants [2]. Consequently, estimates of the total population of the global Bukharo-Jewish communities at the beginning of this century varied from 100,000 to 300,000 people [3] (including 200,000 in Israel alone [4]), while expert demographic assessments of this group remain a subject of ongoing debate.

For instance, in 2000, Albert Kaganovich estimated the total number of individuals with at least a Bukharan Jewish mother at 94,000. According to his data, 63.8% (60,000) resided in Israel; 26.6% (25,000) in the USA; 3.2% (3,000) in Central Asia; 2.1% (2,000) in Austria; and approximately 4.3% (4,000) in other countries. Six years later, according to his updated estimates, the total population of this group had reached 102,000, comprising 65,000; 28,000; 2,500; 4,500; and 2,000 in each of the respective regions [5]. Other authors offer alternative estimates [6].

Regardless of these discrepancies, Israel remains the country with the largest concentration of Bukharan Jews. According to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, approximately 110,000 members of this community (excluding second-generation immigrants) resided there at the beginning of 2021. The United States ranks second, where the Bukharan-Jewish community, according to its leaders' estimates, numbers around 48,000 to 50,000 people (with 32,000 to 34,000 residing in New York) [7]. Significantly smaller yet notable communities of Bukharan Jews reside in Moscow, Vienna, and several other capital cities worldwide. In Central Asia itself, no more than 2,000 Bukharan Jews remain today (primarily in Uzbekistan), where adverse demographic trends, particularly ongoing emigration, could lead to the complete disappearance of this community in its historical homeland in the near future.

Over the past 30 years, substantial transformations have occurred within the socio-cultural profile and organizational infrastructure of this transnational community. As Israeli researcher Ze'ev Levin noted [8], the 1990s represented a period of growth for local Bukharan Jewish associations, primarily religious in nature, which were dedicated to addressing the social, economic, and cultural-religious challenges of this group based on local conditions. Furthermore, the funding—and consequently the setting of priorities—for community projects was almost entirely provided by wealthy members of these communities. The primary difference was that in Israel, the landscape was initially dominated by structures established by settled, long-term residents to address the immediate needs of new immigrants and facilitate their rapid integration into local society, thereby serving as instruments of influence for community elites. Conversely, in the US and Austria, the initiative to establish such synagogues and associated structures originated directly from the new immigrants themselves, aimed at securing the autonomy of these communities.

Indeed, as demonstrated by the research of Russian anthropologist Tatyana Emelyanenko [9], Bukharan Jews in areas of their highest concentration—such as the Forest Hills neighborhood in Queens, New York (predominantly settled by direct immigrants from Central Asia)—introduced elements of Central Asian lifestyle, including Uzbek-Tajik cuisine cafes and distinct architectural styles. Consequently, the ethno-cultural identity of being specifically Central Asian Jews has become dominant among American Bukharan Jews, as reflected in the activities of various public organizations, literature, art, culinary traditions, holidays, and family rituals. This process has been facilitated by a form of universalization (partly under the influence of Chabad) and the gradual dilution of the specific communal role of the religious factor—in contrast to native-born US Jews, for whom religion remains the primary marker of Jewish identity.

Our quantitative sociological study and a series of in-depth interviews conducted in the Austrian capital, Vienna, also indicated that among the members of the "Russian Sephardic" communities residing there, including Bukharan Jews, religion serves as a highly significant, yet by no means exclusive, component of their ethno-cultural background. As in the United States, the specific model of sub-communal Bukharo-Jewish identity is more pronounced among those born in the USSR and the CIS who either immigrated to Austria directly or lived in Israel beforehand (unlike those born in Austria, Israel, or other countries). This identity is reinforced by sub-ethnic associations structured around sectoral religious, cultural, and community centers, as well as informal social, professional, cultural, family-clan, and friendly networks. These networks gather around primary and secondary organizational structures, as well as informal "quasi-communal institutions" such as commercial enterprises, study groups, clubs, ethnic restaurants, online forums, and other platforms for group socialization [10].

Over time, however, the role of trans-state "umbrella" centers has become prominent in preserving the distinct communal and cultural identity of Bukharan Jewry. These centers emerged partly as a reaction to what Bukharan-Jewish community leaders perceived as a patronizing attitude from the heads of Russian-Jewish associations toward the "Eastern" Jews of the former USSR [11]. In fact, the initial attempt to establish an inter-communal organization of Bukharan Jews—the "International Union of Jews of Middle (Central) Asia"—was initiated in the US in the late 1980s. However, until the late 1990s, such initiatives remained largely declarative, according to Levin [12].

A more significant role was played by their Israeli counterpart, the Association (or "Alliance") of Bukharan Emigrants, which represented, with varying degrees of authority, a network of Bukharo-Jewish informal groups, NGOs, synagogue communities, and educational or charitable projects. In February and March of 1999, an attempt was even made to establish a dedicated political lobby—the "Lev—Olim le-ma'an Yisrael" party ("Heart—Immigrants for the State of Israel," LOMI), which declared itself a movement of "Russian-speaking Sephardim" originating from the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Notably, the party's official platform sought to bypass ideological issues, focusing instead on the "communal values" of Bukharan Jews. Ultimately, the LOMI party received only 6,000 votes in the Knesset elections of May 1999 and failed to secure parliamentary representation. (The majority of potential voters preferred to support Likud, other immigrant parties, or the Sephardic Shas party) [13].

The situation changed substantively at the turn of the century with the establishment of the World Congress of Bukharan Jews in Jerusalem in 2000, initiated and patronized by the prominent Israeli businessman and philanthropist Lev Leviev. (An organization intended, in the words of its founder, to establish "a global system of communities capable of restoring the former glory of Bukharan Jewry") [14]. The Jerusalem convention was preceded by the first Congress of Bukharan Jews of North America in May 1999, which brought together approximately 200 delegates from 12 cities across the US and Canada. An indicator of this organizational transformation among Bukharan Jewish leaders was the resurgence of their political activity following a brief stagnation caused by the failure of their communal party in the 1999 elections [15]. Although the "Lev le-Olim" party failed to enter the Knesset in the 2006 elections or thereafter, municipal movements successfully formed factions in nine city councils, with representatives holding deputy mayoral positions in five of them.

Consequently, in Israel, as noted by Z. Levin, the WCBJ became the leading organization for Bukharan Jews, utilizing a professional network of 20 coordinators to manage cultural, political, socio-communal, and educational activities (including its own network of religious educational institutions, "Yad Chana") in cities and neighborhoods with high concentrations of Bukharan residents. The Congress also supported the establishment of individual museums or museum exhibitions dedicated to this community in various cities worldwide, including New York, Tashkent, Samarkand, and Tel Aviv [16].

The defining moment for the WCBJ occurred in 2007, when the Knesset passed a law, initiated by the Congress, on the preservation of the heritage of Jews from Bukhara, which secured state funding for this purpose. The logical outcome of this process was the consolidation of the majority of Bukharan Jewish organizations in Israel and the diaspora under the WCBJ umbrella. While formally remaining independent, these organizations aligned their activities with the agenda of the Congress leadership, which focused on "providing religious education to Bukharan Jews, establishing a network of new synagogues and yeshivas, coordinating the activities of all religious structures, providing social support to community members, and supporting communal publishing houses, theaters, museums, and creative groups." Under the influence of the WCBJ, alongside the "Or Avner" organization (in the diaspora) and the "Ma'ayan" school system (in Israel), the role of religion within global Bukharan communities has notably strengthened in recent years [17].

Nevertheless, in the subsequent decade, the World Bukharan Congress and its affiliated organizations experienced a noticeable decline in activity, primarily due to financial, organizational, and political factors. Given that the dominant trend within the Bukharan-Jewish community in Israel and the diaspora remains oriented toward self-preservation (while maintaining integration into their host societies) to protect their unique communal culture, local associations are positioned to play a critical role in this new phase.

However, do they possess the necessary demographic and other resources? The following informative material by Dr. Robert Pinkhasov addresses this question, focusing on the current state of the Bukharan Jewish communities in New York and North America, which exert a powerful influence on the development of the global Bukharan Jewish community.

Prof. Ze'ev Khanin

The Bukharan-Jewish Diaspora in the USA

History has preserved the names of the first Bukharan Jews to arrive on American soil: Chaim Aminov in 1919; Zina, daughter of Rafoel Vadyaev, in 1938; and Bakhmal Vadyaev in 1939. Bukharan Jews arrived from various countries, primarily Great Britain, and typically settled in Manhattan. Prior to establishing their own synagogue, they gathered to celebrate Jewish holidays and collect donations to send to Palestine. According to recent data, between 48,000 and 50,000 Bukharan Jews reside in the United States. Furthermore, their geographic distribution is expanding continuously; while in 1995 Bukharan Jews resided in only 13 states, 15 years later they were present in 23.

In the mid-20th century, Bukharan Jews also began settling in the cities of Canada. In the 1950s, three Bukharan Jewish families arrived in Toronto, followed by several others in the 1970s. The community was formally established in 1998, and today the city is home to 170 Bukharan Jewish families. Initially, congregants prayed alongside Ashkenazi Jews, but in 2003, a dedicated Bukharan-Jewish synagogue was opened. In Montreal, the first Bukharan Jews were the Priev family, who arrived in 1998. Today, 25 families reside in the city, having established their community in 2009. (Congregants pray alongside Ashkenazi Jews at the West Montreal Chabad synagogue). Additionally, since the late 20th century, 10 Bukharan Jewish families have lived in Calgary, and 8 families in Edmonton.

Nevertheless, New York remains the primary center of settlement and communal activity for Bukharan Jews in North America, housing more than 75% of the community's population.

New York

In 1940, a small synagogue was opened in New York, followed in March 1946 by the incorporation of the Bukharian Jews Aid Society, Inc. During the 1950s, religious services were typically attended by 20 to 30 people. During this period, and in the years immediately following the establishment of the State of Israel, the Bukharan-Jewish community in the US grew slowly, adding only 2 to 3 individuals per year. Immigration increased slightly in the 1960s, with the arrival of several families from Israel. The first dedicated Bukharan synagogue opened in Queens in 1963, serving approximately 200 congregants, including Iranian, Afghan, and Bukharan Jews.

That same year, the Israeli Jewish Center was established, later renamed the Center of Bukharian Jews (CBJ) in New York. Ilya Issakharhan, a native of Bukhara, became the first president of the New York community in 1963. In his youth, he studied in Moscow alongside the future King of Afghanistan, who in the 1920s bestowed upon Issakhar ben Hizkiya the honorary title of "Khan." In the 1970s, the first emigrants from the USSR began to arrive, and by the end of the decade, Queens was home to 200 Bukharan-Jewish families. In 1978, the first issue of the Center of Bukharian Jews' publication, "Center news," was released.

In 1983, the community acquired a spacious building for a synagogue on 70th Avenue. This facility hosted instruction in Hebrew, Torah, and English. Material assistance was provided to the needy and sick, and funds were allocated for the funerals of indigent members. Each year, more than 1,500 food packages were distributed for Passover. In August 1992, elections were held for the Board of Directors, with 17 active members securing seats. In 1989–1990, the community purchased 285 burial plots, and the Chevra Kadisha was established around the same time.

As a result of mass emigration from the USSR, tens of thousands of Bukharan Jews settled in New York within a short period. Approximately one-third of the Bukharan Jews who settled in the city purchased their own houses, apartments, and condominiums.

By the beginning of the new century, the community center in Queens had become overcrowded. In May 2003, construction began on a new center and synagogue, supported by Lev Leviev, President of the World Congress of Bukharan Jews. In the fall of 2005, the "Kanesoi Kalon" synagogue opened its doors, and the following year, Leviev officially inaugurated the Cultural and Religious Center housed in the same building. Below is a directory of several social and religious organizations established by Bukharan Jews, community publications, sponsored theaters, musical ensembles, and other institutions.

The community largely preserves its distinct characteristics and traditions. While Bukharan Jews in Israel are integrated into the Sephardic world, in the US they identify specifically as "Bukharans," the Jews of Central Asia. Rising assimilation is countered primarily by Jewish education and the institution of the Bukharan-Jewish family, which are closely linked. It is observed that over 90% of Jewish school graduates subsequently establish Jewish families. The community grows not only through immigration but also due to natural increase, with families typically having two or more children. Out of 150 new couples registered between 2017 and 2019, 140 were recognized as Jewish according to Halakha. In 7% of cases, a spouse underwent conversion (giyur).

It is also necessary to mention the charitable foundations of the Bukharan Jewish compatriot associations, which fund the maintenance of cultural heritage sites and cemeteries in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Social and Religious Centers

Jewish Institute of Queens — Queens Gymnasia

This is the first Bukharan-Jewish school in the US, opened in 2002. The building was purchased by Lev Leviev just prior to the start of the academic year. For seven years, the school operated tuition-free, with all expenses covered by Leviev. Today, the school serves between 700 and 800 students. Based on standardized test results, the New York Department of Education has recognized Queens Gymnasia as one of the top schools in the area (with virtually all graduates progressing to college).

"Beth Gavriel" Cultural and Religious Center

The Center opened in August 1997. Over time, this modest office, initially rented solely for Sabbath services, developed into a major institution offering dozens of programs that attract thousands of visitors seven days a week. The primary objectives of the center include supporting stable Jewish families, addressing immigration challenges—specifically mitigating issues that lead to marital dissolution—and educating the younger generation in Jewish traditions. To this end, a yeshiva serving over three hundred children has been established at "Beth Gavriel."

"Ohr Natan" Center

Established in August 1986, the center focuses on religious education. It regularly hosts lectures on Judaism in Russian, Hebrew classes for adults and children, preparation for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and summer camps for children aged 9 to 14 focusing on Hebrew and Jewish history. Sabbath classes for women occupy a significant place in the Center's activities. "Ohr Natan" houses the only Russian-language Judaica library in Queens. Approximately one thousand individuals have completed English language courses here to prepare for the citizenship exam.

Center in Lefrak City

Since 1997, this center has successfully operated religious, cultural, youth, and social programs. Daily morning and evening prayers are held, with services conducted in two synagogues on Fridays and Saturdays. The center also provides English classes for the citizenship exam. A social worker is available to advise community members on housing issues, SSI, and welfare benefits. A specialist psychologist is on staff to support families in crisis.

Beit Eliyahu Bukharian Center in Fresh Meadows

The Center was established in April 2006 by a group of businessmen led by Ilya Aronov. It hosts religious holiday celebrations as well as daily morning and evening prayers.

Jewish Center of Briarwood

Established in 1993, this center offers Hebrew and English instruction, hosts lectures, and conducts daily morning and evening prayers. A mikveh, opened in 2019, is located on the synagogue premises.

Ahavat Achim Congregation

Established in 1990, this community hosts all religious holidays, lectures, and social worker consultations. A kollel for boys aged 13 and older operates at the center.

"Lmaan Ahai Bukharim" Congregation

One of the earliest Bukharan Jewish synagogues in New York. Opened in 1979 and registered in 1985. The synagogue hosts a kollel, a Hebrew ulpan, and bi-weekly lectures by prominent rabbis. The center maintains active links with Ashkenazi religious organizations in New York. On weekdays, the synagogue serves 100 to 150 congregants, increasing to 300 on holidays. In February 2009, an adjacent prayer hall was opened, primarily serving the youth.

Congregation Bet-El Sepharadic Center of Jamaica Estates

Operating since 2007, this center hosts lectures, classes, prayers, and a kollel.

Congregation Tomer Devora

Operating since 2002, this congregation hosts prayers and lectures.

Congregation Shem Tov Khal Bukharoan

Operating since 2007, this congregation hosts prayers, lectures, and children's programs.

Shaarei Eliyahu Congregation

Founded by the Akilov family in 2011, this congregation hosts prayers, lectures, and children's programs.

Bet Boruch-Kai Ohavei Torah

Founded by Yehuda Suleimanov in 2005, this center hosts prayers, lectures, and a men's mikveh.

Ohel Joseph and Burkho Toxsur

Operating since 2011, this center hosts prayers and lectures.

Bukharian Congregation of Briarwood

Hosts prayers, lectures, Bar Mitzvahs, and other events.

Shaarei Tefilah Synagogue

Hosts prayers, lectures, and various community programs.

Ohel Sara-Torat Haim Congregation

Operating since 1997, this congregation hosts prayers, lectures, and other services.

Synagogue of Khoji-Koton

Founded by Borukh Khojayev in 1999, this synagogue hosts prayers, lectures, and various community programs.

Ohel-Simkha Synagogue

Founded by Igal Khaimov in 1991, this synagogue operates a school for children and a kollel for adults.

Od Yosef-Chai (Flushing)

Founded by Eddie Yakubov.

Bnei-Tzion Congregation

Founded by Ben-Tzion Siyonov in 1992, this community hosts prayers, Sunday programs for women and children, lectures, and other activities.

Mikveh in Queens. Opened in 1958, this mikveh serves approximately 300 women monthly.

"Roshnoi-Light" Bukharan Jewish Public Scientific Center

Established on the initiative of Robert Pinkhasov in 1992 in New York as "Roshnoi-Light" (Dr. Robert Pinkhasov is the president of the "Roshnoi-Light" PSC, and Prof. Iosif Kalontarov has served as executive secretary since 1997). Over time, "Roshnoi" expanded beyond club activities and was re-registered in 2011 as the Public Scientific Center (PSC) of Bukharan Jews. It currently connects over 500 members, including 100 doctoral degree holders.

The PSC "Roshnoi-Light" comprises 14 departments, alongside the Center for Historical and Sociological Research. The professionals associated with "Roshnoi-Light" successfully navigated the challenges of their initial years of immigration, with many re-establishing their professional qualifications in the US. The membership includes physicians, engineers, writers, artists, teachers, and college and university professors. The primary objective of the PSC "Roshnoi-Light" is to leverage the intellectual potential of the community and preserve its ethnic integrity while facilitating integration into American society. The Center operates in two main areas: education and research.

The Center provides assistance to those in need. It has previously organized citizenship exam preparation seminars, English language classes, talk shows, lectures, and excursions. Members have also participated in rallies and demonstrations in support of Israel.

The PSC "Roshnoi-Light" conducts historical, sociological, demographic, and art history research, with results published in monographs and collective volumes, and presented at various academic forums.

The center has organized or co-organized eight conferences on the history and culture of Bukharan Jews, publishing the subsequent proceedings, alongside two conferences for medical and biological professionals. The PSC initiated the establishment of the "Vozrozhdenie" Bukharan-Jewish Theater and the Historical-Ethnographic Museum of Bukharan-Jewish Heritage in New York, and has assisted in organizing several exhibitions and festivals.

Between 1994 and 2021, members of "Roshnoi-Light" published over 300 books and brochures. Key publications include a foundational scientific work on the history of Bukharan Jews in four volumes, an English-language textbook on Bukharan Jewish history, culture, and traditions, and the two-volume "History of Bukharan Jews: New and Modern Period (1865-2000)," which features contributions from over 50 leading specialists.

Between 2008 and 2014, Dr. Robert Pinkhasov published 15 encyclopedic volumes dedicated to Bukharan Jews. All have been translated into English or published in bilingual editions. Based on Pinkhasov's major work, "Bukharan Jews in the Countries of the World," and recommended by the US Library of Congress, the English volume "Bukharian Jews Worldwide" was published in 2015, receiving widespread attention. This series continues with Pinkhasov's recent work, "Bukharan Jews in the History of Centuries," which provides a systematic overview of the history of this distinct ethnic group (2021) [18].

Several authors have dedicated their research to the history of Bukharan Jewish communities in specific Central Asian cities and their contributions to municipal development.

In 2007, Ezro Malakov published the book "Musical Treasury of Bukharan Jews," accompanied by a seven-CD set.

What are the broader consequences of the emigration of the Bukharan Jewish intelligentsia? Have they maintained their identity within a different socio-economic and cultural environment? The evidence suggests that despite losing their traditional, centuries-old social environment, Bukharan Jews continue to preserve their national and religious traditions, which have consistently aided their success and social recognition in new regions.

The Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada

The Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada (BJC) was established on May 2–3, 1999, in New York at an inaugural convention attended by 397 delegates representing 54 community centers, cultural, educational, social, and religious organizations. The convention unanimously adopted the Charter and Program of the BJC, and Boris Kandov was elected President. The establishment of the Congress created an all-American structure unifying Bukharan Jews in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San-Diego, Phoenix, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle, Toronto, and Montreal. This marked a significant milestone for the immigrant community, opening new prospects for development.

The primary objectives of the BJC are:

— Consolidating the dispersed Bukharan Jewish communities of North America;

— Representing the community in social and political organizations;

— Implementing humanitarian, cultural, and religious programs;

— Supporting the State of Israel;

— Strengthening cultural ties with the countries of Central Asia.

In 2000, the BJC of the USA and Canada joined the World Congress of Bukharan Jews. At the inaugural convention, delegates representing all North American communities declared that the primary task of the new organization should be the construction of a central community center on the site of the old synagogue (116-06 70 Ave, Forest Hills). This complex task involved navigating numerous legal, financial, and technical challenges, culminating in the opening of the five-story Center and Congress building in 2005. It currently houses the "Kanesoi Kalon" Main Synagogue, the "Esther ha-Malka" women's organization, a veterans' organization, two youth organizations, a publishing house, the Union of Bukharan-Jewish Writers, Poets, and Journalists, the editorial offices of "The Bukharian Times" newspaper, the "One Heart" matchmaking club, and the FEGS program, which provides educational, professional, and social services.

Over the years, the BJC and the Center have hosted numerous visits from New York City Council members, mayoral representatives, senators, and congressmen. Meetings with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Governor of New York State became regular occurrences. On October 18, 2007, the US Senate hosted the first Bukharan Jewish Day at the Capitol, during which prominent American politicians honored 70 active members of the community.

The BJC provides organizational, financial, and informational support to creative groups and community centers in other cities across the US and Canada. Under the auspices of the BJC, compatriot associations have increased efforts to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Central Asian countries.

Diplomatic contact with Central Asian states began immediately after the creation of the BJC. During one official visit, with the permission of local authorities, six Torah scrolls were transferred from Uzbekistan.

In subsequent years, BJC representatives served as international observers in the presidential elections of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and attended anniversary celebrations in Samarkand, Dushanbe, Tashkent, and Bukhara. Additionally, international conferences dedicated to the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent, the 2750th anniversary of Samarkand, and the 2000th anniversary of Margilan were organized in New York, supported by researchers and cultural groups. The BJC also participates in interreligious dialogue with Muslim clergy in Uzbekistan, the US, and Tajikistan.

Support for the State of Israel occupies a central place in BJC activities. Thousands of Bukharan Jews have participated in the annual Israel Day parades in Manhattan. The BJC delegation, adorned with banners, flags, and national costumes, regularly marches down Fifth Avenue.

BJC delegations participate in the annual conventions of the World Congress of Bukharan Jews in Israel, as well as various UN symposia organized by diplomats from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan accredited to the US.

"The Bukharian Times" newspaper serves as the primary media organ of the BJC and the Center of Bukharian Jews, establishing itself as a respected publication both within the US and internationally.

The Museum of Bukharan Jewish Heritage and the "Roshnoi" Center serve as the primary public showcases of the community.

The activities of the Congress have been commended by the leadership of the US, Israel, and Central Asian nations, recognizing it as an instrument of public diplomacy, a promoter of Central Asian cultures, and an umbrella organization uniting all Bukharan Jewish groups in North America.

The BJC Publishing House of the USA and Canada was established in 1999 under President B. Kandov and Editor-in-Chief A. Yakubov. Between 1999 and 2021, it released numerous books, brochures, and community calendars.

The Council of Bukharian Jewish Congregations of America was established in 1996 to support the religious education of new immigrant children. Under its auspices, the "Binat Chaim" yeshiva operates, alongside programs for children and elderly community members, English classes for immigrants, a Sunday school, and tuition assistance funds.

The Council of War Veterans — Bukharan Jews was established in 1993 on the initiative of writer and journalist Boris Iskhakov. The organization is affiliated with the Association of World War II Veterans and Invalids from the former USSR. On July 25, 2021, a large group of veterans, public figures, foundation heads, and press representatives were presented with commemorative medals and certificates from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the 80th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War. The solemn event was organized by the BJC of the USA and Canada.

An office is provided for the veterans within the Center of Bukharian Jews in Forest Hills, where board members meet twice weekly. The organization provides social and legal assistance and conducts home visits for homebound veterans.

Women's and Youth Organizations

The "Esther ha-Malka" Women's Organization was established in May 1999 as a branch of the BJC of the USA and Canada. The organization's activities reach the majority of women within the US Bukharan-Jewish community. It organizes leadership training seminars (in partnership with the JCRC), medical lectures, cultural meetings with writers, physicians, and artists, and holiday celebrations. With the active participation of "Esther ha-Malka," the exhibition "Memory of Old Bukhara" was held at the Museum of Jewish History, accompanied by a special issue of "Ladies' World" magazine.

Since 2002, the organization has hosted the international "Woman of the Year" competition, featuring participants from Jewish communities in the US, Israel, Austria, Russia, Uzbekistan, Germany, and other countries. The event is supported by the BJC of the USA and Canada and the American Forum of the World Congress of Russian Jewry.

The organization also sponsors the "Salute to Outstanding Mothers!" event, which honors mothers who have raised four or more children.

The "World of Immigrant Women" Organization was established in 1991 to provide medical and legal assistance to immigrant women. It hosts monthly seminars focusing on stress management skills. The organization periodically raises funds for medical needs and works with the Jewish Community Council to deliver food to families in need. It is a partner of the American Association of Volunteers assisting cancer patients.

The "One Heart" Matchmaking Center was established in 2005 under the BJC of the USA and Canada. Single men and women over 21 gather here on Sundays. The Center also organizes talk shows, excursions, and youth Shabbatons.

The "Akhdut" ("Unity") Bukharian Jewish Youth Association was formed in 2002 as a youth section of the "Roshnoi" PSC, obtaining official non-profit status three years later. "Akhdut" managed several cultural and educational programs, including Bukharan-Jewish and Hebrew language classes, the "Kalontar" leadership seminars, talk shows, conferences, lectures, and excursions. The association published the youth newspaper "Akhdut-Unity," supported a youth musical ensemble, and prepared children for Bar Mitzvahs. With the support of "Akhdut," courses on the history and culture of Bukharan Jews were offered at Queens College, alongside a Bukharan-Jewish language elective at Queens Gymnasia. The association ceased operations in 2013.

The BJOY Bukharian Jewish Youth Organization. Established in 2009, this group grew out of the AYBJ group, which was informally created in 2004. The organization ceased its activities in 2009.

The Levi Yakubov Union of Bukharan-Jewish Writers, Poets, and Journalists was established in 2005 under the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada, succeeding the "Poets' Chaikhona" creative association (1995-2005). Through the Union's efforts, dozens of conferences and meetings with researchers of Bukharan Jewish culture and literature have been organized. Book presentations for works authored by Union members and invited guests are regularly held. The organization collaborates actively with the Yitzhak Mavashev Foundation — the Institute for the Study of Bukharan Jewish Heritage in the Diaspora, and the Israeli Writers Union. The Union's activities are regularly covered in "The Bukharian Times" (US), "Menorah" (Israel), "Nadezhda," "Ladies' World," and "Beth Gavriel" magazines.

Mass Media

Newspapers

• "BUKHARIAN-JEWISH WORLD" — published from 1996 to 2001 in New York in Russian.

• "BETH AHARON" — published in New York in 2001 in Russian.

• "DUSTI" ("FRIENDSHIP") — a supplement to "Friendship" magazine in the Bukharan-Jewish language (Cyrillic script). Published in New York from 1995 to 2000.

• "JEWISH LIGHT" — published in New York from 2004 to 2006.

• "ZAMON" — a supplement to "The Bridge" newspaper (1995-1997) and "Bukharian-Jewish World" newspaper (1999-2000). It operated as an independent publication in 1997–1998 and 2001–2002. A total of 107 issues were published in the Bukharan-Jewish language (Cyrillic script).

• "THE BRIDGE" — published in Russian from 1994 to 2000 in New York, issued bi-weekly.

• "The BUKHARIAN TIMES" — the first weekly publication in the history of global Bukharan Jewish communities. Founded in January 2002 through the merger of the community magazines "Voice of the Community" and "Voskhod." It serves as the official organ of the Center of Bukharian Jews and the BJC of the USA and Canada. An English-language supplement has been included since 2007. The publication is distributed free of charge in areas of dense Bukharan Jewish settlement in New York and mailed to community centers across the US and Canada. The companion website, www.bukhariantimes.org, has been operating since 2012, serving readers in 20 countries. Rafael Nektalov has served as editor-in-chief since its founding.

• "LECHAIM" — a weekly independent newspaper of the Bukharan Jewish communities, published in Russian and English from 2012 to 2016.

• "WORLD VOICE" — published since 2014 in New York in Russian and English.

• "BUKHARIAN JEWISH LINK" — a cultural and religious newspaper published bi-weekly in English and Russian since September 2017. It is the official organ of the Board of Directors of the "Beth Gavriel" Center.

Magazines

• "BETH GAVRIEL" — a monthly religious and socio-political magazine, published as the organ of the Board of Directors of the "Beth Gavriel" Center from 2001 to 2017.

• "VOSKHOD" — the magazine of the Rabbinical Council of the US Bukharan Jewish community, published in New York from 2000 to 2001.

• "VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY" — the organ of the Center of Bukharian Jews of New York, published from March 1999 to December 2001.

• "ZAMON TIMES" — a publication of the MIRAF company, issued from 2016 to 2019.

• "FOR YOU" — published monthly in New York from 2007 to 2010.

• "FRIENDSHIP" — published since 1991 in New York by the "Ohr-Natan" organization. The magazine is distributed throughout New York City, in several US states, and in Austria, Israel, Uzbekistan, Australia, Canada, and Germany.

• "LADIES' WORLD" — a monthly magazine published in Russian in New York since 2000. It serves as the official organ of the "Esther ha-Malka" women's organization.

• "WORLD OF WOMEN" — a monthly Russian-language magazine published in New York from 1995 to 1996.

• "HOPE" ("UMED") — an international literary, publicist, and popular science magazine. Published monthly from 1996 to 2019 in New York in Russian, Bukharan-Jewish, and English. The editorial board included prominent community scientists, medical professionals, business leaders, poets, and cultural figures.

• "SHOLOM-ALEYKHEM" — published bi-weekly in Russian in New York from 1998 to 2007.

• "OUR LIGHT" — published monthly from 2009 to 2012.

Theaters, Studios, Museums

The "Vozrozhdenie" Bukharan-Jewish Theater, led by Semyon Aulov, was established in July 1994 on the initiative of "Roshnoi" and its president, R. Pinkhasov. The troupe consists of 30 dedicated members. An associated studio workshop trains actors and collaborates with emerging playwrights. In November 2004, the ensemble toured Austria and Israel. The theater regularly provides charitable assistance to various foundations in the US and Israel.

The "Bukhara on the Hudson" Bukharan-Jewish Theater was officially established in 1996. Its inaugural production was the play "Khustgori" by L. Pilosova, which was performed in New York, Phoenix, Vienna, and several Israeli cities. L. Pilosova serves as artistic director.

The Theater-Studio of Myerkhay (Yakov) Mosheev, established in 1997, operates as a non-profit organization. The chief director is the founder, Myerkhay Mosheev, author of six books. All performances, staged in the native language, focus on moral and ethical conduct within the family and society. The studio ceased operations in 2015.

The "Malika" School of Ballroom and Eastern Dance was established in 1994 and officially registered in 1996. The founder and artistic director is Malika Kalontarova, People's Artist of the USSR. In 2000, "Malika" toured Vienna; in 2002, it participated in a festival in Atlanta; and it performs annually at the "Our Heritage" festivals organized by NAYANA in New York. The school's performers participate in all events of the Center of Bukharian Jews, and its students have performed in Russia, the US, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Over its history, the school has trained over 3,000 children and adolescents.

The "Vdokhnovenie" ("Inspiration") Theater was established in 2008 as a musical comedy theater under director Albert Aroni (Yakubov).

The theatrical group directed by B. Katayev was established in 1996. Its first production was the play "Hayot" ("Life") by R. Nektalov, which depicts the traditions of Bukharan Jews.

The Museum of Bukharan-Jewish Heritage was established on the initiative of the "Roshnoi" club. It has operated since October 2002 on the premises of Queens Gymnasia (New York). The museum's collection contains over two thousand items, including archival documents, photographs, books, and religious objects. The collection is regularly updated, and visitors include state and public figures, politicians, diplomats, and business leaders from around the world. It also serves as a research center for the ethnography of Central Asian peoples.

At the World Congress of Bukharan Jews convention in Israel, the museum was formally transferred to the jurisdiction of the WCBJ.

The "Kaykov-Media" Studio was established in 1991 by the Kaykov family — Grigory, Rafael, and Roman. Grigory worked as an assistant camera operator at "Uzbekfilm" before becoming a camera operator at Queens Public TV in the US. Rafael serves as a photographer for QPTV. Roman is a director of photography who has worked on three American feature films. In collaboration with director Ben Isakov, People's Artist of Turkmenistan, the studio produced documentary films about Shoista Mullojanova and Ilyas Mallaev, and in partnership with director Boris Katayev, it produced "Tajikistan in My Heart" and "The Congress Has United Us." Roman Kaykov has directed over 80 documentaries on Bukharan Jews. The "Kaykov-TV" television studio broadcasts its documentaries twice weekly on Time Warner Cable Channel 57, utilizing its extensive film, photo, and audio archive to introduce American audiences to the history, culture, and art of Bukharan Jews.

The "Shofar" Radio Program was broadcast from 1994 to 2008 on Russian-language radio stations in New York, focusing on the life and culture of Bukharan Jews.

Charitable Organizations and Named Foundations

The Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) in the Bukharan-Jewish Community

The JCCA, a long-established Jewish organization assisting children and families, operated a dedicated program within the community from 2007 to 2016. One of its initial initiatives was the Family Day Care program, which helped employ over 100 individuals who opened home-based daycare services for children aged two months to five years. Approximately 800 families utilized these services, staffed by licensed educators. Children were cared for in small groups of 6 to 12 in a nurturing environment, receiving age-appropriate developmental activities and hot kosher meals. Educators underwent annual training, and JCCA psychologists assisted parents in securing services for children with developmental delays.

The JCCA also operated the Forest Hills Child Care Center (FHCCC), a daycare facility serving 48 children, primarily from the Bukharan-Jewish community. The curriculum included music, computer literacy, and the foundations of Jewish tradition, alongside hot kosher meals. The center also hosted a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program to prepare children for elementary school. The facility closed in 2016.

At the Bukharian Teen Lounge youth center, adolescents learned about the cultural heritage and traditions of their people. In 2008, a group of teens visited Israel, meeting with Bukharan-Jewish community leaders at the Knesset.

In 2007, the JCCA, in partnership with the "Akhdut" youth organization, launched the "Kalontar" program to train future leaders.

"Two Together" was a mentoring program for students requiring academic support. Children met individually with trained volunteers once a week for 90 minutes. JCCA staff prepared the volunteers, assisted in lesson planning, and maintained regular contact with parents.

The Eduard Nektalov Charitable Foundation

Established in 2004, this foundation commemorates Eduard Romanovich Nektalov (1957-2004), former Vice President of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada. The foundation's primary goal is to assist low-income members of the Bukharan-Jewish community, single mothers, and orphans, as well as to support Israel. Since its inception, several thousand individuals have received financial assistance for Jewish holidays. The foundation has also raised over $100,000 for the State of Israel, donating an ambulance and a fire vehicle. Its efforts have helped 25 immigrants secure employment. The foundation also funds the E. Nektalov Bukharan-Jewish Synagogue in Tashkent, providing over $20,000 in annual support.

The foundation provides World War II veterans with kosher food annually, supports cancer patients, assists single mothers, and participates in charity campaigns for kidney transplant patients. Dedicated support is provided to the yeshivas of the Jewish Institute of Queens system. The foundation also assists adolescents undergoing substance abuse treatment in rehabilitation centers in Queens.

The Yitzhak Mavashev Charitable Foundation

The Yitzhak Mavashev Foundation — the Institute for the Study of Bukharan Jewish Heritage in the Diaspora — was established in 2005 in New York as a registered non-profit organization. Its mission is to research and popularize the heritage of Bukharan Jews. The foundation has hosted three academic conferences—in Dushanbe, New York, and Israel—marking the centenary of the prominent thinker, scholar, and translator Yitzhak Mavashev. Mavashev Prizes in the US have been awarded to poet and playwright Ilyas Mallaev, writer and playwright Levi Yakubov, founder of the Museum of Bukharan Jewish Heritage Aron Aronov, singer and chazzan Ezro Malakov, President of the "Roshnoi" PSC Robert Pinkhasov, and historian Imanuel Rybakov. In Israel, recipients include actor and playwright Khay Davydov, poets Nisan Niyazov and Khagay Iskhakov, and composer Benyamin Yusupov; in Uzbekistan, journalist Mark Fazylov received the award. The foundation provides financial support to writers, journalists, poets, playwrights, singers, and musicians residing in the US, Israel, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Charitable Foundations for Central Asian Cities

The primary objective of these foundations is to fund and organize restoration, improvement, and security for Jewish cemeteries in the historical hometowns of Bukharan Jews. Through the support of US-based foundation members, the condition of cemeteries in many Central Asian cities has improved significantly. Unmarked graves have been restored, access roads paved, pathways cleared of debris, trees and flowers planted, and drainage systems installed, alongside the creation of comprehensive burial registries. The foundations maintain contact with compatriots in the diaspora and Israel, providing material assistance to the remaining Jewish residents in those cities, supporting immigrants in the US, and assisting bereaved families.

Key organizations include: the "Fergana" charitable foundation (established in the US in 1994), "Kattakurgan" (established in the US in 1994), "Tajikistan" (established in the US in 1995), "Shahrisabz" (established in the US in 1995), "Andijan" (established in the US in 1996), "Samarkand" named after Moshe Kalontar (established in the US in 1997), "Bukhara" (established in the US in 1998), "Tashkent" (established in the US in 1999), "Margilan" (established in the US in 1999), "Kokand" (established in the US in 2006), "Karmina-Navoi" (established in the US in 2007), "Khujand" (established in the US in 2007), "Shymkent" (established in the US in 2007), "Turkmenistan" (established in the US in 2007), "Namangan" (established in the US in 2012), and "Payshanbe" (established in the US in 2014).

Bukharan Jewish Communities Across the US

Arizona

As one of the younger continental states, Arizona features a climate similar to that of Central Asia. The state capital is Phoenix (population 1.6 million). The first Bukharan Jews to settle in the state were Solomon Rakhminov and his brother in 1983. Mass migration began in the mid-1990s, and today the state is home to emigrants from Shymkent, Tashkent, Kokand, Dushanbe, and Samarkand, alongside natives of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The Center of Bukharian Jews in Phoenix. In September 1996, community president Yukhai Pinkhasov was elected alongside a 20-member steering committee. Significant initial assistance was provided to the arriving families by the local Chabad synagogue. In late 1996, the community purchased land for a cemetery with 280 plots. At the start of the 21st century, a building was acquired for a synagogue, founded by Borukhay Davrayev and Yasha Abramov. The religious center conducts lifecycle rituals, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and memorial services. It also offers instruction in the foundations of Judaism, with over 100 youth studying at the yeshiva. Today, Arizona is home to 700 Bukharan Jewish families. The community provides support to the sick and elderly, hosts lectures, operates a children's dance group, and supports the "Samarkand" restaurant in Phoenix. Additional synagogues were opened in 2005, 2005, and 2010.

Georgia

The state capital of Georgia is Atlanta, which has a population of approximately 500,000.

The Community Center in Atlanta. Bukharan Jews have resided in Atlanta since 1991. The first community meeting was held in 1992, and a community club was opened in 1993 at the Tempo Parkway Apartments, which housed 22 families at the time. The community was formally registered in 1998, with Anatoly Iskhakov elected as the first president. In early 2001, Alex Yagudaev and Mira Tolmasova offered their home for use as a synagogue, and Shumel Sofiev donated a family Torah scroll. The community purchased a burial section with 100 plots at the Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Between 2000 and 2002, community activists hosted two international festivals for young talents. In 2002, World Congress of Bukharan Jews President Lev Leviev donated $100,000 to purchase a permanent building for the synagogue and Center. Today, the Center operates a daycare facility for 60 children, a Sunday school, music and dance classes, and a senior club. Community representatives were among the founders of the BJC of the USA and Canada and have participated in WCBJ congresses in Israel.

The Center of Bukharian Jews in Atlanta. In 2005, a new Center was opened in the city center. Initially, religious services were held in rented premises, but in 2009, a dedicated synagogue building was purchased with community donations and WCBJ support. The community hosts cultural and educational events, alongside holiday celebrations. Today, 120 Bukharan Jewish families reside in Atlanta.

Florida

The state capital of Florida is Tallahassee (population 190,000). The state's most populous city for the community is Miami, home to approximately 180 Bukharan Jewish families. The first arrivals were Yuri Daniel (Yushuvayev) and Solomon Aronov, who arrived from Tashkent in 1979–1980. The majority of Bukharan Jews in South Florida arrived from New York and Israel. The community was established in 1999.

The "Ner Avraham" Bucharian-Sephardic Jewish Center of Miami. In late 1998, Israel Aminov and Boris Nektalov founded the first Bukharan Jewish center in Miami. In the summer of 2000, a building was purchased for a synagogue, followed by the acquisition of an adjacent property the next year. In 2003, the community divided geographically into northern and southern sections. The "Ner Avraham" congregation serves approximately 95 to 100 families, including many college-educated young professionals, business owners, software engineers, physicians, and other specialists. In April 2011, the "Doresh" yeshiva was opened at the synagogue, currently serving 16 students from various states and Canada.

The Center of Bukharian Jews in Miami Beach. In 2003, a building was purchased to house the Center and synagogue, followed by an official opening in 2004.

California

The state capital of California is Sacramento. San Diego, located on the Mexican border, is one of the state's major cities, with a metropolitan population of approximately 3 million. The local Bukharan-Jewish community began to form in 1990 with the arrival of families from Tashkent, Samarkand, Kokand, Leninabad, Moscow, and Dushanbe.

The Center of Bukharian Jews in San Diego. The core of the community was established by 1996, and Yakov Kandinov was elected as its first president in 2000. In 2010, the community organized its first youth concert, which has since become an annual event. Major Jewish holidays are celebrated collectively. Today, the community comprises over 200 members, with over 90% owning homes, being employed, and enjoying financial stability. Many members operate their own businesses.

Los Angeles is a major industrial and cultural center with a population of 3.8 million. The first Bukharan Jewish families—including the Ibragimov, Abramov, and Matatov families—arrived in the early 1980s, followed by larger migration starting in 1998.

The Center of Bukharian Jews in Los Angeles. The community was founded in 1994 and registered as a non-profit organization a year later, establishing the Center of Bukharian Jews in Los Angeles under President Boris Gulkarov. Initially, a dedicated space was provided for Bukharan services within a local Chabad synagogue. Today, the community comprises approximately 50 families. Many members have integrated successfully into professional life, and many young people attend major universities.

Pennsylvania

The state capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. The local community was established in 1998. By 2012, 55 Bukharan Jewish families resided in Philadelphia. The community is predominantly young (aged 20 to 40), and members pray in a shared synagogue alongside Ashkenazi congregants.

Massachusetts

The state capital of Massachusetts is Boston (population approximately 700,000). Approximately 200 Bukharan Jews reside in the state. The first to arrive was Misha Bababekov in 1976. Several families followed in 1979, establishing a formal community a year later. Zakhar Shimunov served as the first president. Congregants attend services at an Ashkenazi synagogue.

Colorado

The state capital of Colorado is Denver, which has a metropolitan population of 2.7 million. Approximately 170 Bukharan Jewish families reside in the metropolitan area. The community was registered in 1998. In January 2004, World Congress of Bukharan Jews President Lev Leviev purchased two large buildings for the Colorado community's use, leading to the establishment of the Center of Bukharian Jews of Colorado under its first president, Yuno Datkhayev.

Maryland

The state capital of Maryland is Annapolis, and its largest city is Baltimore (metropolitan population 2.6 million). The Benyaminov family, who settled in Baltimore in 1958, were the first Bukharan Jews in the area. Today, 35 Bukharan families reside in the metropolitan area, primarily in Pikesville. The community preserves traditional customs, though it consists largely of younger generations, and members typically attend an Ashkenazi synagogue.

Washington

The state capital of Washington is Olympia, and its largest city is Seattle (metropolitan population 3 million).

The Center of Bukharian Jews of Seattle. The Ibragimov family arrived in Seattle in 1985, followed by immigrants from Central Asia and Israel. Today, approximately 180 Bukharan Jews reside in the area. Initially, congregants attended a Sephardic synagogue, but later began attending the East Side Torah Center after acquiring a building in East Seattle. In 2007, the Center of Bukharian Jews was registered as a non-profit organization.

Ohio

The state capital of Ohio is Columbus, and its second-largest city is Cleveland.

Cleveland. The first immigrants settled in the city in the early 1990s. By 1997, there were 52 Bukharan families in Cleveland, and the community was formally established that same year. Initially, congregants attended an Ashkenazi synagogue, but a dedicated Bukharan synagogue was opened in 2003. Mountain Jews frequently join the community for holidays, and approximately 70 Russian-speaking Ashkenazi Jews observe Shabbat alongside the Bukharan congregation.

Illinois

The state capital of Illinois is Springfield, and its largest city is Chicago, where approximately 20 Bukharan Jewish families reside.

New Jersey

The state capital of New Jersey is Trenton. Approximately 115 Bukharan Jewish families reside in various cities across the state.

In each of the other 12 states with a Bukharan Jewish presence (Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia), the population ranges from 5 to 23 families.

1 | Mark Tolts, “Demographic Profile of the Bukharan Jews in the Late Soviet Period”, in Inegeborg Baldauf, Moshe Gammer and Thomas Loy (eds.), Bukharan Jews in the 20th Century: History, Experience and Narration (Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag, 2008), p. 78; Alanna E. Cooper, “Looking Out for One’s Own Identity: Central Asian Jews in the Wake of Communism”, in Zvi Gitelman, Barry Kosmin, and Andras Kovacs (eds.), New Jewish Identities: Contemporary Europe and Beyond (Budapest — New York: Central European University Press, 2002), p. 89

2 | Shmuel Shamai, and Zinaida Ilatov, “Assimilation and Ethnic Boundaries: Israeli Students’ Attitudes Toward Soviet Immigrants”, Adolescence 159 (2005), pp. 682-693; Alanna Cooper, Bukharan Jews and the Dynamics of Global Judaism (Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 2012), pp. 230-250; Emelyanenko T., “Bukharan Jews of New York: Adaptation Features”. Anthropological Forum, No. 43, 2019, pp. 41-60 (cited information on pp. 52-54)

3 | See, for example: “Bukharan Jews”. Khan-Tengri/IA–Center, May 26, 2020, https://ia-centr.ru/han-tengri/oriental/bukharskie-evrei/; Krylov A. V. The Bukharan-Jewish Community in the Socio-Political Life of Israel. Analytical Report. Institute of International Studies MGIMO MFA of Russia, Moscow, 2015 https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache

4 | See “Ovadia Fatakhov: We Are Engaged in the Community”. Bukharan-Jewish World, February 27, 2009, http://www.bukharianjewishcongress.org/newspapers/610-we-engaged-in-community

5 | Albert Kaganovich, “The Bukharan Jewish Diaspora at the Beginning of the 21st Century”, in: Inegeborg Baldauf, Moshe Gammer and Thomas Loy (eds.), Bukharan Jews in the 20th Century: History, Experience and Narration, (Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag, 2008), pp. 111-116 (cited information on p. 115)

6 | Zeev Levin, “From local to global: transformations of Bukharan Jewish community organization in the twentieth century”, Nationalities Papers, 42 (2), 2014, pp. 321 – 335.

7 | Emelyanenko, “Bukharan Jews of New York”, p. 42 https://anthropologie.kunstkamera.ru/files/pdf/043/emelyanenko.pdf

8 | Levin, “From local to global”, pp. 323-327

9 | Emelyanenko, “Bukharan Jews of New York”, pp. 51-53

10 | For more details on the “Bukharan component” in the Jewish community of Austria, see Vladimir (Ze’ev) Khanin ““Russians”, “Sephardi” and “Israelis”: The Changing Structure of Austrian Jewry”, in Olaf Glöckner, Haim Fireberg and Marcela Zoufalá (eds.), Being Jewish in Central Europe Today (Berlin: De Gruyter, 2020), pp. 73-101

11 | Alana Cooper, Bukharan Jews and the Dynamics of Global Judaism (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2012)

12 | Levin, “From Local…”, p. 327

13 | Vladimir Khanin, “Israeli ‘Russian’ Parties and the New Immigrant Vote”, Israel Affairs, Vol. 7, Nos. 2-3 (Winter/Spring 2001), pp. 101-134

14 | Vesti (Tel Aviv), November 19, 2000

15 | Khanin V., “Russians” and State Power in Modern Israel. — Moscow: Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, 2004, pp. 122-123

16 | Levin, “From Local…”, p. 327-29

17 | Krylov, “The Bukharan-Jewish Community in the Socio-Political Life of Israel”

18 | Pinkhasov, R., Bukharan Jews in the History of Centuries. New York, 2021