“Rooftop Night Under The Stars”
On a beautiful September evening, the swanky rooftop of the Leviev office in Manhattan transformed into something extraordinary: a high-end matchmaking event that brought together 160 Bukharian Jewish singles, 13 volunteer matchmakers, and a community’s deep commitment to preserving tradition in modern times.
This was the second event organized by the Bukharian Jewish Congress of North America, this time targeting singles aged 25 and up. The success was immediate and overwhelming—there was even a waitlist to attend.
«It felt like a whole wedding production,» said Greg Sofiev, co-organizer alongside his wife Chagit Leviev Sofiev, the new President of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada. The September 3rd event ran from 7 PM to 11:30 PM, complete with city lights twinkling in the background, fresh pizza baked on the spot, and an atmosphere that was both elegant and welcoming.
Beyond the Synagogue Scene
What set this event apart wasn’t just its upscale venue, but its departure from traditional community gatherings. «Everyone is so tired of shul-based events,» explained Adina Fatakov, one of the veteran matchmakers present. «This was high class, and high end. Everyone felt on top of the world.»
The evening featured remarks from Rabbi Vaknin, music by DJ Alex, and words from the organizing couple. But the real magic happened in the connections being made—both romantic and professional.
«Most important thing is for the matchmakers to meet them in person,» Chagit explained. «People usually just send a resume and photo, but it’s more difficult that way. In person, you can see so much more.»
The Matchmakers: A Labor of Love
Thanks to Shlomi and Natalie Shlomo who know Chagit, thirteen matchmakers attended the event, part of a larger network of nearly 50 shadchanim (matchmakers) serving the Bukharian community. These aren’t paid professionals—they’re volunteers who dedicate their time after working full-time jobs and raising families.
In interviews following the event, two of the matchmakers—Rivka (Riki) Hafisov and Adina Fatakov—stressed the incredible teamwork behind their success. The 13 matchmakers who participated included Berta Koenov, Tami Fuzailov, Chagit Kaikov, Leah Maximov, Shira Ibragimov, Michelle Elishayev, Elizabeth Kariyev, Natalie Shlomo, Angela Shalamov, Olga Solomonova, and Ludmila Zavulonov.
«We all have 9-to-5 jobs. This comes out of our own time, away from our families,» said Riki Hafizov, a matchmaker who has been in the field for 20 years and founded the Shibukhen chat group that connects the matchmakers. «We’re chesed-based [charity-based]. We wish we could do this full time.»
Adina Fatakov, another experienced matchmaker, described their philosophy: «A shadchan [matchmaker] is a mother—sometimes a father—who cares and just wants to help. When you know something that could be beneficial to someone, why not share it?»
The matchmakers operate as a tight-knit family, available to each other and their clients around the clock. «We can call each other at one in the morning,» Adina said. «It’s like a real tight family. If anyone needs everything, it’s all chesed-based, from the bottom of our hearts.»
Their approach is deeply maternal. «Every kid is our kid,» explained one matchmaker, describing how they view each single person they work with as family.
Real Results
The numbers speak for themselves. Since the September event, several people have started dating, adding to the couples from the first event who are now dating seriously. The matchmakers work with clients intensively—»once under our wing, we take one or two and stay with them until the end,» Adina explained.
Their success spans generations. The oldest shidduch (match) they’ve facilitated was between two 65-year-olds. They maintain an extensive database of over 10,000 resumes and operate with the philosophy that «every pot has a cover.»
Meeting Complex Needs
This wasn’t your typical young singles event. The 25-45 age range meant dealing with more complex situations—divorced individuals, some with children, and people who had specific requirements and life experiences that needed careful consideration.
«It was a bit more challenging with the older divorced singles, divorced with kids,» acknowledged Riki. «But it was good because everyone had a chance to meet and speak.»
The event drew not just Bukharian Jews but also members of the broader Eurasian Jewish community, including Mountain Jews. This inclusivity reflected the reality of a diaspora community maintaining connections across traditional boundaries.
The Personal Touch
What distinguishes these matchmakers from dating apps or professional services is their deeply personal approach. They provide extensive coaching and guidance throughout the dating process, handling everything from initial introductions to pre-engagement concerns.
«They need you like white on rice,» Adina said with a laugh. «A lot of coaching, navigating, A-Z. We don’t just send [phone] numbers.»
The matchmakers maintain strict confidentiality and work closely with rabbis and rebbetzins (rabbis’ wives) when complex halachic (Jewish law) or personal issues arise. They’ve created an «SOS chat» with four key matchmakers—including Chagit Kaikov and Leah Maximov—who serve as a 911 system for urgent situations.
Preserving Heritage
For Chagit Leviev Sofiev, organizing these events represents something deeper than social programming. «Singles need help, and this is really the continuation of our Bukharian heritage and Jewish families. This is something that’s important,» she said.
Historically, the Bukharian Jewish community has a rich tradition of arranged marriages and community-facilitated matches. These modern events represent an evolution of that tradition—maintaining the community involvement and matchmaker guidance while allowing for contemporary social interaction.
Looking Forward
The success has created demand for more. «Everyone is asking when the third one is coming,» Chagit noted. The organizers are planning additional events, including separate «meet the matchmaker» sessions for men and women.
Despite the significant effort required—moving furniture, managing ticketing and badges, negotiating with vendors, and extensive promotion—the results justify the work. The first event sold out three weeks before the date, and while the second event targeting an older demographic was more challenging to promote, attendees left highly satisfied.
«We are so proud and happy we have her in our lives,» Adina said of Chagit. «She’s so humble and down to earth. She’s part of us now. She values all this and sees the love we have for them.»
As the Manhattan skyline glittered beyond the rooftop venue that September evening, something timeless was happening—a community coming together to help its members find love, preserving ancient traditions in thoroughly modern ways.
In a world of dating apps and digital connections, these matchmakers prove that sometimes the old ways, enhanced with contemporary flair, work best of all.
For those interested in future events, follow the Bukharian Jewish Congress of North America (@bukharian_congress) on Instagram for updates.
Erin Levi