November 27, 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Bukharian Jewish community in Vienna. I marked this occasion by interviewing the community’s president, Shlomo Ustoniyazov.
Rafael Nektalov: Tell us about the first organization of Bukharian Jews in Europe.
Shlomo Ustoniyazov: I would like to note that this Bukharian community is the largest in Europe, and the largest among countries, after Israel and the USA. Bukharian Jews began arriving in Vienna in the first half of the 1970s. As is known, in those years Vienna served as an intermediate stage on the emigration route out of the USSR, from which people either made aliyah to Israel or immigrated to the USA and other free countries. However, a small number of families remained in Vienna, and some came here from Israel. At a certain stage, the newcomers began to realize the need for a unified community.
Despite the difficulties of emigration, lack of knowledge of the German language and Austrian laws, a small group of enthusiasts, headed by Dr. Grigory Galibov (may they rest in peace), founded a community of Bukharian Jews in 1974. It came under the auspices of the all-Austrian Jewish organization Israelitische Kultusgemeinde (IKG) in Vienna.
The main goals of the creation of the community were to preserve the values of Judaism, cultural traditions, supporting new immigrants and creating a strong infrastructure of Jewish life in the Austrian capital.
In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR, a new wave of immigration arrived in Vienna, increasing the size of the community and strengthening its institutional base. During this period, by 1992, the first cultural and religious center and a beautiful synagogue of Bukharian Jews were built and opened in the 2nd District of the city at Tempelgasse 7.
At present, the community is actively expanding its educational and cultural programs, maintaining ties with other Jewish communities and organizations, strengthening its role as the center of Bukharian Jewish traditions in Europe. Over these 50 years, we have gone through a difficult path of development, known to every repatriate or emigrant of that time. Today, we can confidently say that the community has achieved great success, having managed to create a remarkable infrastructure of Jewish life in Vienna.
We have protected our youth from assimilation, and they have integrated perfectly into Austrian society. Among our young people are lawyers, engineers, doctors, economists, successful businessmen and doctors of science in various fields. Our synagogues are full of young people during prayers, and in the evenings in the center of the community they study the history of the Jewish people and the holy books.
The Bukharian community has a network of kosher restaurants, shops and supermarkets.
Kosher life in the city is mainly supported by our compatriots. I would like to remember that in the distant 1970s we had only one mandate in the IKG parliament. Today we already have seven seats out of 24, and our young Michael Galibov was elected vice-president of the IKG.
David Pinkhasov, who is not yet 30 years old, is an adviser to the Chairman of the Austrian Parliament. For our community, this is a great honor and achievement. In recent years, our work in the IKG has been built on complete mutual understanding and trust. Together we strive to create a better future for the entire Jewish community in Austria.
RN: How many Bukharian Jews live in Vienna today, and how many synagogues does your community unite? What is the secret of your unity?
SU: There are more than 3,000 Bukharian Jews living in Vienna. We have seven synagogues, and each of them is located in places where members of our community live compactly. On holidays, they are all overcrowded, and on weekdays, there is always a minyan. Over the years, the community has managed to select a good team of experienced rabbis, Torah teachers, and other specialists.
Each of our seven synagogues has a board and a president. The secret of our unity probably lies in the ability to keep our word, to agree on mutual assistance — both material and moral. All of this is based on common values, goals and mutual understanding.
Unity is born from the desire of people to cooperate and support each other despite differences of opinion. Crises and challenges of fate often force people to unite, putting aside differences. We understand that the success of one depends on the success of another.
RN: You have been leading the community for the last seven years. What remarkable things have happened during this time?
SU: My activities are a continuation of the work done before my first and second terms. The pioneers who stood at the origins of the community laid a solid foundation for future generations. Each president and his team made their contribution to the development and strengthening the foundations of our community, for which I am very grateful.
And on the eve of the 50th anniversary of our community, I would like to mention their names. G. Galibov (1974 — 1992), R. Alaev (1992 — 2005), Yu. Gilkarov (2005 — 2012), A. Kalontarov (2012 — 2017). Their services to the community and beyond have been written about more than once in our media.
RN: You have been heading the community since 2017?
SU: Yes. Today we have an excellent board of directors, consisting mainly of young people. We understand each other well, and everyone conscientiously fulfills their duties. I work with an experienced public figure, Iosif (Yuzik) Sarikov, who is the chairman of the board and my deputy. We always find a common language even in difficult situations.
In recent years, new educational and cultural projects have emerged. We have updated the community magazine Sefardi News, which is published quarterly in German and Russian.
Under the guidance of teacher Angela Niyazova, the cultural club Kinor David works magnificently. The club offers a variety of courses for children and adults: learning foreign languages, chess, drawing lessons, rhythm, playing the guitar and much more. Our holidays have become more colorful and interesting thanks to the young organizers.
Women’s evenings under the leadership of Rina Kaikova are held with special warmth. The pensioners’ club, led by Shmuel Yakubov, actively involves the older generation in the cultural life of the community, and they spend their leisure time well. For young people and adults, educational lectures are regularly organized, and they include visiting rabbis from Israel and other countries.
RN: What programs do you offer for young community members?
SU: The Yad be Yad and Chai youth clubs play an important role in maintaining Jewish culture, traditions and identity among young people in our community and beyond. They provide young people with the opportunity to socialize, develop leadership skills and explore their heritage in an informal and friendly atmosphere. The clubs host educational programs, seminars and lectures on Jewish history, holidays and traditions.
Club leaders pay special attention to social integration, its support and activity. They create a space for communication and building friendly ties among Jewish youth, which is especially important in multicultural societies. They also organize charitable events, help elderly members of the community, hold celebrations of Jewish holidays, concerts, film screenings, as well as trips to Jewish places in Europe, Israel and the USA. Summer and winter camps, master classes, training on personal growth and professional development.
All of this helps young people to actively develop. Volunteering also plays an important role: young people help the community and participate in social projects, which strengthens their connection with our community and with the entire Jewish community as a whole.
RN: Thank you! See you in Vienna!
This interview was translated by Sergey Kadinsky for the benefit of English-speaking students of Bukharian Jewish history.
Rafael Nektalov