Solly Wolf, a key advocate for interfaith relations, died on February 5, 2025 after a long illness. A trailblazer in enhancing Jewish life in the Gulf, he collaborated closely with Emirati leaders to foster coexistence, especially following the 2020 Abraham Accords.
At some point in my life, I was fortunate enough to know such outstanding personalities—Baruch Hashem!
One evening, as always, I visited the late Yasha Mataev, the former chairman of our community, at the synagogue. As we sat talking, we received a call from the five-star Serena Hotel. They informed us that some Jewish guests had checked in and wanted to attend a minyan and visit the synagogue. At first, we had no idea who they were.
Without hesitation, I started the car and drove off, put on my kippah, and went to meet them. Upon arriving at the Serena, I was greeted by a distinguished gentleman, impeccably dressed—Mr. Solly Wolf. From the moment we met, I could tell he was a top-level businessman. He wasn’t alone; he was accompanied by his friend, Alex Tesla. They were in town for meetings with senior officials from Tajik banks.
We quickly found common ground, sharing herbal tea as I told him about the Jewish community of Tajikistan. This was in 2021. They stayed for a week and took me everywhere with them. I remember Alex mentioning, “Moshe, I’d like to buy an apartment in Dushanbe. I think I like it here.” I told him I could help find something, but for reasons unknown, he later changed his mind.
A couple of days later, Mr. Wolf invited me to dinner at the Serena. Again, I set off, warmly greeted as if we had known each other for a lifetime. I asked how their business was going. They replied, “lyat lyat”—Hebrew for “so-so”—though they mostly spoke Yiddish amongst themselves.
We also spoke about Mr. Wolf’s son, who lives in London. That evening, we called him to clarify a doctor’s prescription and discuss his father’s medication in Dushanbe. His son patiently explained everything.
Solly often visited Dushanbe, sometimes just to relax. Though he had many acquaintances, I valued our friendship, and he did, too. He was a true gourmet, having dined at the world’s finest restaurants. Yet, when I took him to what I considered the best spots in Dushanbe, he was rarely fully satisfied. The only places he truly enjoyed were De Facto (Italian-Georgian cuisine) and a Chinese restaurant on Ayni Street.
As time passed, his health declined. One day, he asked me, “Take me to a good hospital.” Baruch Hashem, we met a young man on the way who recommended a cardiology hospital.
There, we were introduced to a remarkable doctor, Mrs. Shahlo Amonova. Seeing the confidence in her expertise, Solly whispered to me, “Now I can be at peace, knowing I’m in good hands.”
During that hospital visit, he showed me a gold and diamond watch—an exclusive gift from the Emir of Dubai. It granted him VIP access throughout Dubai, allowing him to bypass lines and enjoy numerous privileges. He asked if it was safe to wear in Dushanbe. I replied, “At your own risk—few here would even recognize its value.”
That evening, we dined with Alex Tesla, eager to discover a new restaurant in Dushanbe. Over dinner, they shared their plans to fly back to Dubai that night but promised to return in a month. I wished them a safe journey.
Sometime later, Alex called, asking for assistance in transferring money to an acquaintance. I gladly helped. Thanks to Solly, I not only found a dear friend in Alex, but we remain in touch to this day.
A Dream for a Jewish Cultural Center in Dushanbe
More than anything, we wanted to build a new Jewish cultural center in Dushanbe—one that would serve as a home for everyone. But now, knowing that the synagogue will be demolished in just a few months, I find myself at a loss. I don’t even know what to do.
How I Decided to Go
to Dubai for Passover
As Passover approached, I decided to celebrate the holiday in Dubai with the Jewish community there. After speaking with Solly, I began preparing for the trip. My fellow countrymen in Dushanbe—Juraev Simha and Isaharov Zuvulun—offered their support, and with their encouragement, I borrowed some money and set off.
At the Passover table in Dubai, I found myself among Jews from all over the world—Russia, France, Turkey, America. Many of them were businessmen, drawn to Dubai’s openness and the opportunities it offers. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we shared in the spirit of the holiday together.
At one point, I turned to Solly and said, “I’m used to our community expecting some kind of miracle from me—and, Baruch Hashem, I’ve been able to succeed thanks to people like you, dear Solly.”
Now, as I live in Israel, I carry with me the unforgettable memories of our time together. And I continue my mission—to preserve the Jewish heritage of Tajikistan.
This has been translated from Russian into English, with minor edits for clarity.
Moshe Sabirov, Tajikistan Correspondent