Bukharian Jews are Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, and the majority have emigrated to Israel or the United States.
As American Jews, we are prone to understanding the world through the lens of the Jewish community we inhabit, two-thirds of which is of Ashkenazi descent, but the Jewish world is vast and wide. Adat Shalom Synagogue is fortunate that Dr. Harry Maisel, in loving memory of his wife Rachel Elias Maisel z”l, founded an exhibit to celebrate the particular culture of the Bukharian Jewish community. Ray was born in Bukhara, primarily in Uzbekistan. Bukharian Jews are Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, and the majority have emigrated to Israel or the United States.
Shimonov’s Sunday morning presentation and hands-on calligraphy workshop brought together students and adults to listen, learn and explore the parallels between Hebrew, Arabic and Persian languages.
To celebrate this exhibit and to enrich the congregation’s knowledge of global Jewish culture, Adat Shalom recently hosted scholar and artist-in-residence Ruben Shimonov for Shabbat. This inspiring educator offered three varied subjects that emphasized “Global Jewish Diversity,” relating that Jewish culture has always been an interaction between Judaism, Jewishness, and the cultures and places we inhabit.
The experience heightened the understanding of what it means to be part of Am Yisrael. The weekend culminated in a collective art-making project where Ruben taught about the role of Hebrew, Persian and Arabic script in Bukharian Jewish life. He also guided us in using these scripts to make meaningful connections with each other. It is hoped the Ray Maisel z”l Bukharian Jewish Textile exhibit will facilitate members learning about Global Jewish Diversity for many years to come.
Photos courtesy Adat Shalom Synagogue