By E.T.
On the evening of August 7, Chagit Leviev-Sofiev, President of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada, opened her home in Jamaica Estates for a Tu B’av Summer Soirée, bringing together 160 of the community’s singles for an evening of curated matchmaking. The gathering, which was by invitation only, featured dinner and refreshments, with guests adhering to an all-white, modest dress code.
The event’s unique model was designed to move beyond the limitations of typical singles events. Leviev-Sofiev collaborated with 15 volunteer community matchmakers (shadchanim), each of whom invited a select group of candidates from a specific age group and religious background. «The goal was to bring people together in a meaningful way,» Leviev-Sofiev explained. «This targeted approach ensured a compatible pool of attendees.»
Apparently, the idea proved to be quite successful. According to Leviev-Sofiev, the event has already resulted in at least 20 new couples who have started dating, with additional potential matches developing.
The philosophy behind the event was to create an opportunity for genuine, real-life connections. «There is so much more to people, like personality and charisma, that you can only see when you meet them,» she said, noting that this helps overcome judgments often made from a photograph. This focus on building a family is central to her vision. «If you have no one to share your success with… your success is not complete.»
Hosting the event at her private home was a deliberate choice to create a comfortable and personal atmosphere distinct from a typical hall or synagogue function. «I encourage others in the community, if they have the opportunity, to open their homes and make a mitzvah,» Leviev-Sofiev said. She draws inspiration from the example of her mother, Olga Leviev, who has a long legacy of arranging matches and organizing trips to Kivrei Tzadikim (graves of the righteous) in Israel for young singles to meet and feel the significance of their decision to start a family and live in accordance with the norms of Jewish marriage.
The success of the evening was made possible by a significant volunteer effort. The participating shadchanim are working women with families who dedicate their personal time to arranging introductions. The event provided them with a valuable opportunity to meet candidates in person, which aids their ongoing matchmaking work. During the soirée, the matchmakers actively facilitated introductions among the guests. In recognition of their dedication, Leviev-Sofiev presented awards to the shadchanim during the event.
«Helping our community find their bashert (other half) is a super important priority,» Leviev-Sofiev stressed. As president of the Bukharian Jewish Congress, a role she assumed earlier this year, her work focuses on several key pillars: uniting community organizations, advancing Jewish education, providing social support, and representing the Bukharian community on a broader stage.
This same commitment to representation prompted her to run for a position as a delegate to the World Zionist Congress as part of the ZOA Coalition, to which she was recently elected. She sought the position to give a voice to the nearly 100,000-strong Bukharian community in America and ensure it is «represented accordingly.»
The soirée is intended to be the first of many. Plans are already underway for a September gathering that will cater to a different age group, building on this collaborative model to help Bukharian singles find their partners.
«This is a very important initiative that breaks many stereotypes of the culture and tradition of dating for young religious people,» commented The Bukharian Times Editor-in-Chief, Rafael Nektalov. «Despite a sincere desire to start a family, there are many men and women in our community, well over 30 and 40 years old, who are still unable to start families. Chagit’s approach is an example of a true mitzvah and a creative approach to a problem that affects the young but is particularly acute for people in the age group I mentioned. They already have everything: education, a job, financial well-being, a desire to live according to the laws of Judaism, yet they lack personal happiness. We look forward to new programs in this direction. This approach is encouraging.»
Tu B’Av, celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av, falls six days after the solemn fast of Tisha B’Av, marking a transition from mourning to hope and celebration. The Talmud (Tractate Ta’anit 30b-31a) describes Tu B’Av as a joyous day for matchmaking, making it one of the happiest days of the year, dedicated to fostering new unions and celebrating love.
What pleased and delighted me most on this day was the event’s organization, which was thought out to the finest detail and left an indelible impression on me. It was my first opportunity to meet Chagit Leviev-Sofiev, and I am glad that in this informal setting, I discovered a capable and creative leader. She arranged an unforgettable evening, into which so much soul and desire to help young people take the first step towards personal happiness was invested.