Rafael Nektalov
Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times
The President of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, Levi Leviev, together with his entire family — thirty-five people! — traveled to Samarkand to celebrate the great Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
At the airport, the Leviev family was greeted by Ilya Mulodzhonov, President of the local Jewish community.
During his previous brief visit to Samarkand — when filming was underway for a documentary about his extensive charitable activities — Levi Leviev was deeply impressed by the tremendous changes that have taken place in Uzbekistan in recent years.
As a result, he decided to celebrate Sukkot in Samarkand with nearly his entire family. This idea reflects Leviev’s commitment to preserving memory and shaping the identity of his children and grandchildren, who were born in Israel and the United States.
“For me, Samarkand embodies all of Bukharian Jewry — its spiritual brilliance, its history, and its culture,” he told the author.
Upon arrival, Lev and Olga Leviev visited the Mausoleum of Islam Karimov, the first President of Uzbekistan, and laid flowers at his tomb.
The guests also toured the landmarks and architectural masterpieces of Samarkand, which left a strong impression on everyone.
A photograph from this visit is now held in the Regional Museum of Local History.
Museum of Local Lore.
The main purpose of Lev Leviev’s journey was to honor the memory of his ancestors — to show his children and grandchildren their family burial sites so that they would know where to come in the future to recite Kaddish for their grandparents and great-grandparents.
The Leviev family stayed at the Silk Road by Minyoun Hotel, located in a newly developed tourist complex in the scenic rowing canal district.
“The very fact that Lev Avnerovich Leviev — leader of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews and head of a large family — chose to spend the festive week in a sukkah built in Samarkand especially for his visit speaks volumes,” said Azizbek Dadaev, managing director of the Eternal City tourism center.
This was translated
from Russian into English.