By Erin Levi
Earlier this week, following the historic 50th anniversary celebration of Vienna’s Bukharian Jewish community, I spoke with Michael Galibov by phone about the transformation taking place within his community. As vice president of the IKG (Israelische Kultusgemeinde), Austria’s umbrella Jewish organization, Galibov represents a new generation of leadership – one that’s bridging traditions while embracing change.
The grandson of Dr. Gabriel Galibov, one of the founding fathers and first president of Vienna’s Bukharian Jewish community, 44-year-old Michael Galibov, who was born in Vienna, has recently overseen a significant transition: the community’s rebranding from VBJ (Vienna Bukharian Jews) to “Jachad” (“Yahad» – Together). This change, announced during the community’s 50th anniversary celebration, symbolizes both evolution and ambition.
Erin Levi: Your community recently rebranded to «Jachad.» What prompted this change?
Michael Galibov: «The name change has a specific meaning. Every year we feel that our community is gaining more weight and influence among Jewish organizations in Austria and Germany. But to strengthen this, we cannot limit ourselves solely to the usual self-name derived from our identity. We need to go beyond the isolating framework.»
EL: How did the older generation react to this change?
MG: «They were a little afraid at first – worried that we would forget about our heritage. But they supported us because they understood the vision. We’re not abandoning our identity as Bukharian Jews; we’re expanding our reach and influence within the broader Jewish community.»
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This evolution is reflected not just in the community’s name, but in its communications. Their quarterly newspaper, which previously included a small Russian section (about 30%), is transitioning to being fully in German. When I express surprise at this change, Galibov is emphatic about its necessity.
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MG: «Think about it – you live in a country for 50 years, and you have an event where you invite politicians from this country, and you’re speaking Russian or Bukharian? First of all, it’s not nice, and it doesn’t fit,» he explains. «We had this discussion between the older and younger generations during our 50th anniversary preparations. For those of us born in Vienna, it was clear: of course the event should be in German.»
EL: Language seems to be a particular challenge—at least for our community in Queens…
MG: «Yes, language in the community is a big wall between older and younger generations. I speak Russian, but my three boys don’t – they don’t want to. Does that make them less Bukharian or less Jewish? No. Of course, I want them to speak Russian because it’s a bonus, a weapon for tomorrow. But if you want to build up a community here, you cannot grow if you don’t speak German.»
EL: Can you tell us about the unique position of Bukharian Jews in Vienna’s Jewish landscape?
MG: «We have the biggest Bukharian community in Europe. What’s unique is how we work together with the Ashkenazi community here. In the IKG, which is like a small parliament with 24 seats, the first party has 8 seats – they’re Ashkenazi – and we have 7 seats. We formed a coalition together. I don’t know another place where Bukharians and Ashkenazis are so united. It’s working well.
“In fact, when the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, came to visit us in September, he asked, ‘How do you get along so well?’”
EL: Incredible—you are an inspiration for us all! Tell me, how has the community evolved since the 1970s when Bukharian Jews first arrived in Vienna?
MG: «When our families first came, it was very hard. Sometimes three families shared one apartment. Many Ashkenazi Jews took them under their wings. My grandfather was a doctor and became the first Bukharian Jew to hold a seat in the IKG – just one Sephardic seat out of 24. Today, thank G-d, we realize we have to stick together. We’ve built an incredible infrastructure – eight synagogues, fifteen kosher restaurants. We’ve made Vienna the number one destination for Israeli tourists because of our infrastructure, which is unparalleled in Europe. You can truly live Jewish here.»
EL: You’re part of a new generation of leadership. How do you balance tradition with progress?
MG: «We’re facing the same challenges as many Jewish communities – how to pass the torch to the younger generation. The older generation grew up in a different world, with a different mentality. We grew up in Europe. We have a different way of thinking. But we don’t want to judge them because we love them.
«The key is understanding that you don’t have to lose your identity to integrate. You can choose to live in Austria, respect the culture, and still live the way you want in your house. Have your religion at home.»
EL: How has Jewish life in Vienna changed since October 7th?
MG: «Austria is different from all of Europe. We feel very safe here. The government has supported us from Day One. When there were protests, they were shut down in two hours. TWO HOURS. In other European countries, they let them continue under ‘free speech’ – but here, they understand there’s a line you don’t cross.
«Still, we have to teach our children to be strong and proud. My nine-year-old asked me if he should take off his kippah. Because of social media, these twelve-year-olds… they see people don’t like us. We have to raise them to be confident. A lot of people are afraid to be Jewish, but that’s not the answer.»
EL: What’s your vision for the future?
«We need to stop thinking in labels and categories – that’s the biggest problem of them all. Yes, we were scattered in the diaspora and developed different traditions, but we had the same fate. Look what’s happening in Israel – Jews talking about other Jews in Parliament, they categorize themselves. Here in Vienna, we’re showing how Jews can work together.
«With our younger generation stepping up, embracing social media, and bringing new ideas, while still respecting our traditions – we’re building something special. We’re not just Bukharian Jews anymore. We are Austrian Jews, and we’re stronger together.»
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Today, Vienna’s Jewish community numbers about 10,000, small but, as Galibov puts it, «loud and strong.» Under the banner of Jachad, they’re writing a new chapter in their history – one that honors their past while embracing their future as an integral part of both Austrian and Jewish life. «People say we are one – Am Yisrael Chai,» he says. «We have to act like that too. That’s how we work in Vienna,» said Galibov.