By Lev Borshchevskiy
On December 25th, a charity evening was held at the «Da Mikele Illagio» palace to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Jewish Institute of Queens (Queens Gymnasium). Participants in this important event drew a line under the list of community events in 2024, in which the issues of Jewish education and upbringing occupied a special place and enjoyed universal support.
Queens Gymnasium, as JIQ was called in its founding year, was created under the auspices of the president of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, Lev Leviev — a man who opened a new page in the spiritual and social life of the Jewish community in America.
For the first time in New York, a private school was created where children of immigrants from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Russia, and Israel could study for free. In addition to the investments spent on equipping the yeshiva and paying the salaries of the teaching staff and administration, considerable funds were spent on the needs of the students. Thus, each family was able to save at least $10,000 on their children’s education.
22 years have passed, and our community, thanks to Leviev’s efforts, has received not only the Queens Gymnasium, but also the Ohr Chana yeshiva, a complex on Utopia Park Avenue, Ohr Avner summer camps — in short, a well-established Jewish educational system that includes not only wonderful students and teachers but also donors, sponsors, ready to support the flame that was lit by Lev Leviev in his time.
The anniversary of JIQ coincided with the beginning of Hanukkah.
«Today we light the first candle, proudly celebrating the holiday of goodness, light, justice, and love for one another,» emphasized Baruch Babaev, Chief Rabbi of Bukharian Jews in the USA and Canada.
According to tradition, on this evening, honorary diplomas of the Jewish Institute of Queens are awarded to well-known philanthropists, public and political figures who have contributed to the development of Jewish education.
The “aksakal” (elder) of the community, director of the Museum of the Heritage of Bukharian Jews, Aron Mikhailovich Aronov, was invited to bless the challah. Then the banquet began and awards were presented.
David Mavashev, president of the Itzhak Mavashev Foundation — an institute for studying the heritage of Bukharian Jews in the diaspora, which has been participating in JIQ’s philanthropic activities for several years, was the first to be asked to take the stage. In 2023, he specially came to Dubai to support Lev Leviev’s educational project. The award to Mavashev was presented by the editor-in-chief of The Bukharian Times, Rafael Nektalov.
«I am a descendant of the Sephardic rabbi Yosef Magribi, who made a great contribution to the creation of the yeshiva in Bukhara and the development of Jewish education in the community of the ancient city,» Nektalov reminded.
«I am pleased that we have all gathered to strengthen our care for Jewish education and upbringing, without which there is no future for any community in the world,» emphasized David Mavashev. «I am grateful for this award to the president of JIQ, Chagit Leviev-Sofiev, the directors of the yeshiva, rabbis Zalman Zavulunov and Itzhak Wolowik.»
Rafael Nektalov noted David Mavashev’s contribution to the culture, art, literature, and science of Bukharian Jews over the 30 years of his work at the Itzhak Mavashev Foundation he created.
«My three grandchildren are studying at the Jewish Institute of Queens, and I feel how they are spiritually strengthening and developing in the course of Jewish education,» said Nektalov.
Then the Consul General of Israel in New York, a great friend of our community, Ofir Akunis, whom everyone knows well, a frequent guest in Queens, took the stage.
The honorary diploma was presented to the consul general by the heads of JIQ, Chagit and her husband Greg Sofiev, together with the directors of the yeshiva, rabbis Zalman Zavulunov and Itzhak Wolowik.
In his speech, Ofir Akunis said:
«I am very pleased to join all of you, especially friends from the Or Avner Lubavich yeshiva, students from JIQ and Ohr Chana,” dear Greg and Chagit Sofiev, Lev Leviev, rabbis and teachers, with whom we are celebrating Hanukkah together today, at this evening.
“Hanukkah is the story of the Jewish homeland. And it is a story of miracles — divine success, despite terrible difficulties. This is something we can say in our days too.”
Then the Israeli consul general noted the relevance of this meeting on the days when Israel faced new challenges that changed not only the country but also the geopolitical map of the region. He said:
«What have we been celebrating for two thousand years? The defense of our country and our faith! And we are waging the same struggle, but no longer with the Greeks, since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, took civilians hostage, and started a regional war.
In the distant past, as today, our faith was our protection from foreign invaders pursuing genocidal goals.
With «emunah gdola» — with great faith — we will win now, just as the Maccabees did then. And I am grateful to all of you for your support of Israel! This means so much to us!
The Consul General noted that the Bukharian-Jewish community of New York has always been and remains a reliable ally of Israel, especially in the last fourteen months.
«Such a passion for the historical homeland does not arise from nowhere. The roots of this devotion to Israel lie precisely in the education system of this community. Rich traditions and pride in one’s roots inspire your values and your actions,» he emphasized.
«And each of you has clearly stated: America supports Israel! Both American Jews and the entire American people! For me, this is undoubtedly a reason to rejoice and celebrate.
“So let us celebrate Hanukkah and the coming New Year — with optimism and faith that this war will end! And that Hamas will release one hundred of our fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters! Those whom they brutally kidnapped almost fifteen months ago!
“Everyone should demand their immediate and unconditional release. Hanukkah Sameach!”
All 500 guests of the fundraising event stood and applauded the Israeli consul general, expressing solidarity with the Jewish State, which is fighting on several fronts to save the country and preserve peace in the Middle East.
Lev Leviev, president of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, in his traditional annual video address to the participants of the fundraiser, emphasized that the Jewish people differ from others precisely in that they do not assimilate.
«And this can be checked on DNA,» he proudly emphasized and cited the results of his test, which showed that the president of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews is «a real Jew: 60% Levite and 40% Cohen.»
«This is a direct connection to Moshe Rabbeinu himself,» he said.
Lev Leviev expressed pride in being involved in the creation of a system of educational institutions for Bukharian Jewish children in America, which covers their upbringing from kindergartens and schools. Then the graduates go on to study at colleges and continue to preserve their Jewish identity.
«There is such an indisputable belief: if someone manages to save one Jew, then all mitzvot (merits) go to this person. When we teach children, give them the right Jewish education, we are also teaching them the main thing — to help others,» he said from the screen.
«And then, thanks to us, wonderful people of different ages will appear, devoted to our traditions. Therefore, we must understand the importance of this mitzvah — to give our children a Jewish education without fail and remember that each person can participate in this high mission. We can even become partners in this matter ourselves.
“Of all the existing Funds, the most important are those that invest in Jewish education. We have thousands of graduates who are already working in this system themselves.”
On this evening, diplomas were also awarded to Jonathan and Sigalit Shalom, Meir and Alla Aranbaevs, who constantly support JIQ.
Then a concert program began, in which the famous Bukharian-Jewish singer and musician from Israel David Katanov, Yuhan Benyaminov, Shushan, the instrumental ensemble of Albert Matatov, and the young, talented illusionist Alan Malakov took part.
Eastern music sounded significantly more than in previous years, and all the Hasidim happily danced Bukharian dances.
Photos by Roman Kaykov
Translated from Russianinto English.