Bukharan Jews

A young bukharian-jewish girl. 1871-1872 years

Bukharan3

Bukharan Jews (before 1899)

Bukharian Woman, circa 1900 in Jerusalem

Bukharian Jews in Jerusalem

Bukharian family in front of their Sukkah

Bukharan Jews are a Jewish ethno-religious group from Central Asia, primarily from the region of Bukhara, which is now part of Uzbekistan. They are one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, with a history that dates back over a millennium.

History

The history of Bukharan Jews can be traced back to the times of the Babylonian Exile in the 6th century BCE. Over the centuries, they settled in various parts of Central Asia, including Samarkand, Tashkent, and Bukhara. The community flourished under the Samanid Empire and later under the Timurid Empire, where they enjoyed relative autonomy and prosperity.

During the 19th century, the region came under the control of the Russian Empire, which brought significant changes to the Bukharan Jewish community. The Soviet Union's anti-religious policies in the 20th century led to the suppression of Jewish religious practices and the closure of synagogues.

Culture

Bukharan Jews have a rich cultural heritage that includes unique traditions, cuisine, and language. They speak Bukhori, a dialect of the Persian language with a significant number of Hebrew and Aramaic loanwords. Their cuisine includes dishes such as plov, a rice dish, and samsa, a type of pastry.

Religious Practices

The religious practices of Bukharan Jews are a blend of Sephardic and Mizrahi traditions. They follow the Shulchan Aruch, the code of Jewish law, and celebrate Jewish holidays such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. The community has its own unique customs for these celebrations, including specific prayers and rituals.

Migration

In the late 20th century, many Bukharan Jews emigrated to Israel, the United States, and other countries due to political and economic instability in Central Asia. Today, significant Bukharan Jewish communities can be found in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Tel Aviv.

Notable Bukharan Jews

• Lev Leviev - A prominent businessman and philanthropist.
• Yosef Maimon - A renowned rabbi and scholar.

Related Pages

• History of the Jews in Central Asia
• Sephardic Jews
• Mizrahi Jews
• Bukhori language
• Jewish diaspora

Categories

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