“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” Exodus 25:8
The Bukharian Jewish Community Center of Jamaica Estates (BJCCJE)opened its doors in the fall of 2012, just in time for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah, 5773. This upcoming fall, in the Jewish year 5786, we joyfully prepare to celebrate our 13th year—a milestone of both spiritual maturity and responsibility in Jewish tradition.
Our house of worship was founded in the heart of Jamaica Estates and Fresh Meadows, neighborhoods that have welcomed a growing number of Bukharian Jewish families. The synagogue was born from the vision of Mikhail Aronov, a great leader and respected patriot of his people, who foresaw that the rapidly growing number of Bukharian Jewish families in the area would need their own shul. He rallied a group of successful businessmen and generous philanthropists who played key roles in building the Center. The construction was led carefully overseen by Boris Aronov and Josh Yushuvayev.
The fall of 2012 marked the revival of Bukharian Jewish spiritual and cultural life in Fresh Meadows and Jamaica Estates areas, when the new Temple opened for festive High Holiday services. All three floors — the main floor for men, the upper level for ladies, and the lower level for youth — were always filled to capacity.
Since then, the Center has become absolutely essential to our community, marking many years of success and faith. Today, it is a vital and energetic religious home among the Bukharian Jewish community of New York. The overwhelming majority of congregants consist of the youth under 50 years of age, with some valuable presence of seniors. These achievements happened due our ethnic group’s unwavering desire for success and creation, unity and devotion to its pristine traditional values.
Our shul is far more than a place of prayer. It is also a home for fruitful multigenerational connections, cultural celebrations, and community building. The luxurious and spacious lower level of our synagogue, with its professional catering service, has become a favorite venue for Brit milah, Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties, as well as weekly Shabbat ceremonies, and memorial services. Educational and religious events such as lectures, couples’ paint nights, Hanukkah and Purim celebrations with a DJ, magicians, raffles and prizes take place here. Abundant tables of ethnic dishes and delicacies are set out on Passover nights and Simchat Tora celebrations for the congregation. On such nights, sponsors are wearing traditional gold-embroidered joma (robes), reinforcing our ties to our own heritage.
Our spiritual programming continues to flourish:
Downstairs Rabbi Mikhail Khaimov hosts “Father and Son” learning program on some Motzei Shabbat, as well as Sunday Torah reading classes, with children studying holy texts, as it says, “From the mouths of babes and infants you have established strength.”
On the synagogue’s main floor, Rabbi Khaimov conducts Kolel learning sessions every morning from 7:30 AM — 10AM; the weekdays and Shabbat services of Shacharit, Mincha and Aravit, as well as Shiurim on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM, Thursdays at 8:45 PM.
On the lower level, Rabbi Yitzchak Aminov hosts weekdays and Shabbat services with an early (6:15 am) minyan. He also gives learning classes for youth every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm-9 pm, and Amidah classes on Wednesday evenings.
Rabbi Shmuel Kogan runs and overseas such projects as C-Teen Summer Adventure, C-Teen U classes on Mondays at 7:00 pm, and exciting courses for college credit from Yeshiva University. Hanukkah Menorah lighting events at Cunningham Park are organized yearly by Rabbi Shmuel Kogan and Ariel Shimonov, attracting huge crowds.
The Rabbi’s office hours are on Thursdays, between 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
Our Center has also hosted memorable cultural programs in the past, including a chess club, Hebrew language classes, Ezro Malakov’s masterclasses in Bukharian chazanut, and monthly sessions on “Bukharian Jewish Cultural and Historical Heritage” by Rafael Sofiev.
For all these years an important administrative and coordinating work is being performed by our Gabbai and Chazan, Baruch Yushuvayev. He and other cantors, Levy Babakhanov (descendant of legendary shashmaqom singer Levicha Babakhanov), and Simcha Mirzayev, create an exalted atmosphere of ineffable spirituality, singing traditional prayer chants, masterfully using both our ethnic melody and pronunciation. Yes, we are almost 13.
Now, as we near our “Bar Mitzvah” year, we are reminded that 13 in Judaism symbolizes not just maturity and strength—but responsibility.
Dear congregants, it is our common responsibility to make our Center an even more high-spirited place for both adults and children in order to preserve our ethnic cohesion, loyalty to our religious, traditional, historic and cultural values, as well as the centuries-old Bukharian Jewish heritage.
Our future challenges include programs for effective coordination of events, aimed at strengthening and improving ties and unity amongst Bukharian Jewish communities worldwide. We should continue developing educational programs, supporting youth initiatives.
In this regard, we invite our other synagogues located in Jamaica Estates and Fresh Meadows to interact at all levels. Regular social meetings, religious, festive and cultural events unite synagogues and their members. This will make our fraternity in the area more united in the face of the modern world challenges. Together, we can continue building one of the most dynamic, spiritually vibrant communities on New York’s Jewish map.
With gratitude and vision
Rafael Sofiev, BJCCJE Board of Directors