By Erin Levi
More than 150 Bukharian and Gorsky young professionals gathered last week at Tempura NYC for the Bukharian Jewish Union’s «End-of-Summer Soirée»—marking the first time these two culturally connected communities have joined forces for a major event.
The sold-out rooftop celebration brought together young professionals from Queens’ predominantly Bukharian Jewish community and south Brooklyn’s Gorsky community, with Manhattan serving as their natural meeting ground. Guests enjoyed sushi, drinks, and music throughout the evening.
«It was great to be able to unite two communities that are culturally similar but rarely get to interact or meet each other,» BJU co-founder David Aronov told The Bukharian Times. «It was one of BJU’s largest events and truly exemplifies the need in our community for young professionals to meet other like-minded individuals.»
The collaboration represents a significant milestone for both organizations. Alla Digilova, head of Young Gorsky Professionals and partner at international law firm Haynes Boone, emphasized the untapped potential she’s long observed between the communities.
«I always noticed that there is immense unrealized potential in forming bridges between our two communities who share much in common,» Digilova shared with The Bukharian Times. She hopes this event could serve as «the starting point for our communities joining forces to better position our young professionals for personal and professional success.»
Both organizations have demonstrated strong community engagement, with YGP’s events routinely selling out, highlighting the demand for professional networking opportunities among young Jewish professionals in the tri-state area.
The evening’s success was celebrated across social media platforms. «Amazing turnout for joint Bukharian Jewish Union and Young Gorsky Professionals Summer Soirée! More than 150 young professionals came together for a night of connection joining two communities,» Young Gorsky Professionals posted on Instagram.
Community members expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations. «So proud of our Brave Young Generation that makes Us Parents so Happy with a Heads Up. More Events and partying like this,» wrote Yana llyaich on BJU’s Facebook page, while Benjamin Dzhurayev commented, «Bless all events that are like this. Bless our communities & all our people!»
BJU thanked attendees on social media, writing: «A big thank you to all of our guests for making the sold-out event a huge success! We are looking forward to seeing you all at our next event!»
The collaboration between the two 501(c)(3) nonprofits BJU, established in 2016 to serve as the central hub for Bukharian Jews in their 20s and 30s, and YGP, focused on enriching Gorsky-Kavkazi professionals’ lives, signals a new chapter in inter-community relations within the broader Jewish diaspora.
Photos by Sarah Borukhov
and David Aronov