Kesher Talk

The Jews of Bukhara, Uzbekistan: After the fall of the Soviet Union 10 years ago, this centuries-old Jewish community was able to open a second synagogue, a day care center and a school that taught Hebrew and the religious texts. But the Soviet collapse also opened the door for emigration, while the economy of newly independent Uzbekistan plummeted and the overwhelmingly Muslim state began to assert its Islamic identity. The result: Some 18,000 of Bukhara's 20,000 Jews have left, mostly for the United States and Israel.

Rafael Davidov, president of the Jewish community, says he will wait. "When a ship is sinking, it is the commander who goes down last," he said. "While there are Jews here, I will stay."

Bukharan Jews said their ancestors first came to Bukhara some 2,000 years ago. Historians said the claim couldn't be verified, but cited evidence that Bukhara was home to a large community of Jewish silk traders 400 years ago. (Associated Press)

posted by Howard @ 12/19/2001 01:57:00 PM