By Erin Levi
For Sholom Levinson, home is wherever he’s needed most. “I’m with Chabad, so I’m all over the place,” he said.
His most recent stop? Uzbekistan, where he spent a month over the Jewish High Holidays, supporting both the Ashkenazi and Bukharian Jewish communities.
Alongside his friend Pinchas Frenkel, both 21, Sholom divided his time between Tashkent and Samarkand. Another group of Chabad rabbis also traveled to other areas, including Bukhara and Ferghana, extending their support to smaller Jewish communities.
How It All Began
The opportunity arose at Chabad Headquarters in Brooklyn. Sholom, fluent in Russian, was a natural fit—his parents spent 25 years with Chabad in Ukraine. Friends invited him to join this mission, and he felt an immediate connection to the idea.
“Something about the place just made me excited,” he shared. Though he’s participated in similar missions, he knew this would be especially meaningful.
Bringing the Holidays to Life
From leading services to blowing the shofar, Sholom and Pinchas took on multiple roles to create a festive atmosphere. “We did services, served as chazzan, sang, inspired people—really tried to make everyone feel the joy of the holidays,” he reflected.
The first night of Rosh Hashanah was a memorable highlight. A special chef prepared a traditional meal at the glamorous Oltin Samarkand, attended by around 50 people.
Following Rosh Hashanah, Sholom and Pinchas were given a unique tour of local Jewish heritage sites. They visited the Jewish cemetery, where many Chabad rabbis from World War II are buried, and later the historic Gumbaz Synagogue, where caretaker Yosef opened the doors for an intimate evening of prayer.
Observing Yom Kippur and Celebrating Sukkot
For Yom Kippur, the duo helped conduct kapparot in Samarkand, and Pinchas, a trained shochet, played a central role. On Sukkot, they brought lulavim and etrogim, dancing and singing in the streets to engage the community and even those who don’t usually attend synagogue. About 40 people, including tourists, joined the celebrations.
The Joy of Simchat Torah
The pinnacle of their journey was Simchat Torah. In Tashkent, Sholom and Pinchas uplifted the community in two different synagogues.
“Everyone was incredibly happy,” Sholom recalled. “We gave blessings, received blessings, and sang both Bukharian and Ashkenazi songs.” They even returned for a music event held in honor of Simchat Torah, where they continued to spread joy and share Torah.
Unique Bukharian Traditions
The experience opened Sholom’s eyes to Bukharian traditions he hadn’t encountered before. “They have unique songs, a special vibe. For Rosh Hashanah, there were all kinds of fruits and dishes I’d never tried. They’re such warm and welcoming people—it was a joy to celebrate together.”
Reflecting on his time in Uzbekistan, Sholom can’t wait for another opportunity to return. “It was an incredible experience to see the communities here come alive for the holidays. I would definitely go back.”