Basya Malaeva
Vienna
When writing about the Bukharian Jews in Vienna, the focus is often on the leading spiritual center for Bukharian Jews in Europe: the «Beit Levi» Center, which is known far beyond Austria’s borders.
However, the Viennese community is more than just one synagogue. It’s diverse and includes many spiritual hubs bustling with rich religious, cultural, and educational life. In this context, it’s especially important to highlight the recent lectures by Rafael Nektalov, which became a landmark event for the entire community.
At the initiative of activist Avi Malaev and with the support of Shlomo Ustoniyazov, president of the Viennese Bukharian community, and Michael Galibov, vice-president of the Jewish Religious Community of Vienna (Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien), Rafael Nektalov gave a series of lectures in Vienna. Nektalov is the Editor-in-Chief of the New York-based newspaper The Bukharian Times, a researcher, and a public figure.
The lectures, titled «Why We Are Bukharian Jews,» were held in two synagogues: at the Central Synagogue of Bukharian Jews «Jachad» (Tempelgasse 7, 1020 Wien) on Saturday evening, July 26, and at the Hafazat Ha Torah Beit Midrash (Grosse Mohrengasse 38, 1020 Wien) on Sunday, July 27. These gatherings were true lessons in understanding Jewish identity, tradition, and memory.
«Much of what Rafael Nektalov shared with us was a revelation, a new perspective on our tradition, history, culture, and self-awareness,» said event initiator Avi Malaev. «We are grateful to him for accepting our invitation and dedicating his time to our community.»
The question of Bukharian Jewish identity, according to many attendees, is more important than ever today.
«We hope that these lectures will continue, as they help preserve and develop communities in the diaspora. This is also relevant for Israel,» emphasized Michael Galibov.
In his speech, Rafael Nektalov noted that he considers strengthening ties with the Viennese community to be extremely important:
«Vienna is home to many spiritual, cultural, and social initiatives, making it a vital center of Bukharian life in Europe. In New York, we’re developing a number of projects, such as the Roshnoi Public and Scientific Center, the Yitzhak Mavashev Foundation, the Institute for the Study of Bukharian Jewish Heritage, and the Moshe Kalontar Charitable Foundation. All of these are designed not only to preserve but also to develop public awareness and interest in our history. Israel is also doing a lot–under the auspices of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews and with the participation of leading academic centers in the country.»
The topic was actively supported by Anatoly Khalkadarov, a well-known community representative.
«This is indeed a painful but very important issue. We are losing so much–our language, memory, and forms of family and spiritual life. And yet, we have so much to preserve. We must consider creating schools, or at least optional classes, where the foundations of our culture and tradition would be taught.»
Rafael Nektalov added that it is important to expand the ways in which the topic of identity is popularized.
«Lectures should not only be in newspapers but also from podiums, in different languages, and in different countries. The question of whether we will survive as a people in the 22 nd century is directly related to the awareness of our identity today.»
He recalled that Vienna has hosted numerous international conferences on the fate of Bukharian Jews and noted the importance of archival work.
«In the Boris Yusupov Synagogue, I saw an interesting photo archive. It could become the basis for a future museum of Bukharian Jews in Austria. And the work of David Pinkhasov in the Austrian Parliament shows that our community is treated with respect here. Even the Austrian Academy of Sciences is showing interest in our materials and history.»
To conclude, Rafael Nektalov made a personal request to Shlomo Ustoniyazov.
«You are a connoisseur of the language, literature, poetry, and painting of Bukharian Jews. I am convinced that such lectures should also be held in yeshivas where the children of our community study.»
This visit was not just an exchange of views but a true contribution to the preservation of the spirit and memory of a people that has not lost itself in Central Asia, Europe, Israel, or America.
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During these days in Vienna, Berta Neryaevna Alaeva-Kalontarova celebrated her birthday. She is a wonderful woman, the wife of the late second president of the Bukharian Jewish community, Rafael Alaev, a direct descendant of Moshe Kalontar. Having lived in Austria for more than 50 years, she and her husband and sons have made a great contribution to the development of the Bukharian Jewish community life in Vienna. Rafael Nektalov congratulated the family on behalf of the New York Center of Bukharian Jews and the «Samarkand» Charitable Foundation.
Photos by R. Sharki
Read more about Rafael Nektalov’s visit to Vienna in the next issue of the newspaper.
This was translated from
Russian into English.