Shavua tov to my fellow Bukharian community members. On October 30, 2024, my family and I visited the Bukharian Jewish Museum. This state-of-the-art museum is run by Mr. Aron Mikhailovitch Aronov and his daughter Alla Aronova. The amount of effort, and time put into each exhibit, and the museum as a whole, must have been countless, considering the intricacies and details of each exhibit.
I would like to express deep gratitude and appreciation toward Mr. Aronov for all his tireless dedication to preserving and sharing our ancestral history and the history of our origins. What I value most is how determined and persistent he is to not let the Bukharian Jewish culture and traditions fade.
The fascinating tour began with a history lesson on where we originate from. We then entered the beautiful museum filled with what looks like a Bukharian home back in Uzbekistan.
There were many artifacts such as a Russian typewriter, a 20th-century sewing machine, and a preserved Megillah and Torah dating from centuries ago! We saw an antique “Oshton” or traditional pot used mainly to make “Oshi Palow”(plov). We also had the opportunity to see an antique wine barrel, where reshly crushing grapes were once stored to ferment into wine. What was fascinating to see was the instruments artists would use, such as the karnay, surnay, traditional doira and more.
We got to dress in the beautiful joma of our ancestors as well as explore what life was like under Soviet rule. One of the most remarkable moments was when we saw the portrait of my grandfather, Rav Eliyahu Akilov, nicknamed “The Computer” for his photographic memory!
A lesson Mr. Aronov discussed was the importance of a people’s language. He had given over this beautiful quote (in Russian) on how a man who created his countries’ language had passed away. He was now lying six feet under and had no legacy. At least he thought so. Then he heard two people speaking in the language he created. And that is what caused him to rise above. This shows the importance of not letting one’s language fade. Bukharian is a beautiful language, a dialect of Farsi and Tajik, but it is dying.
One point that was made was that many people who spoke Bukharian growing up, teach their kids Russian, and grandkids end up speaking English.
I too strongly believe that we shouldn’t let our language fade and try to preserve it as much as we can!
Another takeaway with beautiful reasoning for it was that even on a boiling hot day, when one has a guest, he must offer him tea as opposed to cold water. We may all be thinking that seems absurd or it’s just part of tradition. However, the reasoning is exceedingly wise and extremely beautiful. Mr. Aronov had explained that handing your guest cold water is the easy way out. You hand them the water—they are now satisfied and can leave. Quick and simple. However, when a guest is offered tea, a hot beverage that will keep them longer, you are expressing that they are wanted. That they must stay for longer and have a bite with you, so you can catch up. When I heard this wise reasoning for such a statement, I fell in love with my culture even more.
Although there were so many more details and antiques that must be discussed, my main point is that Mr. Aronov’s museum isn’t like any typical experience.
A little over a year ago, my family and I traveled to Uzbekistan. My parents got to see where they grew up, and we had the opportunity to view what life was like for them….
Almost. In today’s day it is extremely different from what it used to be. I was mainly excited to see all the historical sights and any remains of what my parents had left there. However, only little remained. Visiting the museum completed my experience.
Whether you or your parents grew up in Uzbekistan, every Bukharian Jewish person must visit the museum to receive such an unforgettable and fascinating experience!
Mr. Aron Aronov, once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your remarkable daughter, Alla, for providing me with such a memorable and enriching experience. Your generosity and support have made a lasting impact, and my family and I truly appreciate it.
- Leah Ilyayev
Mrs. Yulya Borisavnaya, wife of Mullo Ilyau Akilov, known by the Bukharian community as “The Computer,” visited the Bukharian Jewish Musuem’s new location for the first time, along with her daughter and grandkids this past month. Mr. Aron Aronov and his daughter Alla took them back in time to life in Uzbekistan, showcased through kitchenware and earthenware used in Bukharian homes along with traditional clothing and musical instruments. They also had a small library displaying books based on Bukharian history, music, cuisine, and more!
The Akilov family was amongst the first people to visit the museum’s old location in 2010. Mrs. Yulya Borisavnaya visited the previous location along with her children Binyamin Akilov and his son Aaron Akilov, Reuben Akilov, Tamara Akilova, Mira Akilova and her husband Murdakhay Ilyayev. They dressed up in traditional Bukharian robes and headwear sitting on the tapchan that’s currently on display at the new location.
The Akilov family admires Mr. Aronov’s dedication to spreading knowledge and history about Bukharian culture and would like to extend a big thanks to him and his daughter Alla for everything they do to preserve the history of the Bukharian Jewish people!
-Efraim Ilyayev
Editor’s Note: In Issue 1188, we published an article titled, “A Peak Inside the Museum Guest Book: The Akilov Group,” about the Akilov family’s impressions of the Bukharian Jewish Museum, with many of the nine family members experiencing it for the first time. The highlight of the visit was encountering a portrait of their ancestor, Mullo Ilyau Akilov, affectionately known as “The Computer” by his community for his exceptional memory and knowledge. Since that article came out, we received two more impressions from Leah Ilyayev and Efraim Ilyayev that are worthy of its own space in the paper.