Bukharian Jewish Congress President Chagit Leviev Sofiev was among Jewish leaders addressing rising antisemitism and media misinformation at the Israeli Consulate this week.
In a quickly arranged but significant gathering on Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar convened with prominent Jewish leaders at the Israeli Consulate in New York for a high-level briefing that addressed pressing concerns facing Jewish communities across America.
The meeting, hosted by Consul General Ofir Akunis, brought together heads of major Jewish organizations in what was described as a very impromptu visit–Sa’ar had flown to New York for just 15 hours specifically to attend a UN Security Council session he convened on the issue of the hostages before meeting with diaspora leadership.
Among the distinguished attendees were Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League; Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York; and Danny Danon, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The diverse gathering also included leaders from various Jewish communities, with representation from Bukharian, Syrian, and Iranian Jewish populations.
A Personal Connection to Bukharian Heritage
A particularly meaningful aspect of the meeting was the participation of Chagit Leviev Sofiev, President of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the US and Canada, who represented one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the United States. The connection between Leviev Sofiev and Minister Sa’ar runs deep–both personally and culturally.
«We’ve known Gideon Sa’ar for 25 years,» Leviev Sofiev explained. «Since I was a child attending Bukharian Jewish Congress of the US and Canada conventions, he was there almost every year. He’s a very proud Bukharian himself and has always been a supporter of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the US and Canada. My father and him go way back.»
This shared Bukharian heritage added a particularly poignant dimension to the gathering, highlighting the diverse tapestry of Jewish identity and leadership both in Israel and the diaspora.
Confronting Rising Antisemitism and Media Bias
The discussion centered on several critical issues facing Jewish communities, including what participants described as biased media coverage regarding the situation in Gaza and the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States.
Participants addressed concerns about alleged starvation in Gaza, which meeting attendees characterized as misinformation being spread in media coverage. The conversation also touched on how Jewish communities can better combat rising antisemitism and support each other during these challenging times.
The discussion led to striking observations about the nature of current antisemitism. As Leviev Sofiev recounted, participants noted the contrast with other international conflicts–pointing to the war between Russia and Ukraine as an example. Despite that ongoing conflict, there haven’t been widespread hate crimes against Russian people on American streets. «This is just an excuse,» she explained, describing the consensus that current anti-Jewish sentiment represents «pure antisemitism» rather than genuine concern for Palestinian welfare.
A Call for Practical Action
Leviev Sofiev, describing herself as «a very practical person,» emphasized that while dialogue is important, the Jewish community needs concrete action. «We can talk and talk over the same situation, but in reality, the situation is not safe in the US. It’s scary,» she noted.
The meeting highlighted troubling statistics shared by Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz in previous briefings, indicating that 60% of hate crimes in the area target Jewish people, making antisemitism the number one category of hate crimes–despite Jews representing a much smaller population compared to other minority groups.
Beyond Community Walls
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the need for Jewish communities to extend their outreach beyond their own circles. As Leviev Sofiev observed, «The more Jewish people get together with Jewish people, it doesn’t help change the fact that people think of us something else. We keep talking with our own people. We need to step out of our community to make an impact and explain to people that there is misinformation.»
This sentiment reflects a broader strategy discussed at the meeting–the importance of educating the wider public about the realities facing both Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. The Israeli Consulate has been implementing this approach through dramatic public awareness campaigns, including broadcasting Hamas’ video of hostage Evyatar David on Times Square’s massive digital screens. As Consul General Ofir Akunis wrote, David «is being starved by a Nazi terrorist organization that dares to spread the blood libel that Israel is starving the people of Gaza.»
A Historic Perspective
The meeting underscored that current challenges, while intensified, are part of a longer historical pattern. As Leviev Sofiev noted, antisemitism has been «what our nation is–we’re suffering from this throughout our entire existence.» The key, she concluded, is for Jewish communities to remain «empowered and encouraged» while working together to combat misinformation and hate.
The impromptu nature of Minister Sa’ar’s visit–squeezing in this crucial meeting during a brief 15-hour stopover–demonstrates the Israeli government’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with diaspora Jewish leadership during these turbulent times.
For the Bukharian Jewish community, having one of our own in Israel’s foreign ministry, and seeing our community president at the table with national Jewish leaders, represents both the diversity of Jewish leadership and the strength of connections that span continents and cultures.
Erin Levi