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Bukharan Jews ('''Bukhoran Jews''', '''Bukharian Jews''') is a blanket term for Jew s from Central Asia who speak a dialect of the Tajik Language . Their name comes from the Uzbek city of Bukhara , which once had a large Jewish community. Since the Collapse Of The Soviet Union , the vast majority have moved to Israel and the United States . BACKGROUND The Bukharan Jews trace their ancestry to Israelite s who never came back from the Babylonian Captivity after exile in the 7th Century BCE . In Central Asia, they survived for centuries subject to many conquering influences. The community was essentially cut off from the rest of the Jewish World for more than 2,000 years and managed to survive in the face of countless odds. They are considered one of the oldest Ethno - Religious groups of Central Asia and over the years they have developed their own distinct culture. Most Bukharan Jews lived in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan , while a small number lived in Russia , Kazakhstan , Turkmenistan , Afghanistan , Kyrgyzstan and some other parts of the former Soviet Union . In Uzbekistan, the largest concentrations were in Samarkand , Tashkent (the capital), Bukhara, and Kokand . In Tajikistan , they similarly were mainly concentrated in the capital, Dushanbe . NAME AND LANGUAGE in Bukhara , sketch based on a photograph by Elkan Nathan Adler .]] The term "Bukharan" was coined by Europe an travelers who visited Central Asia around the 16th century. Since most of the Jewish community at the time lived under the Emir of Bukhara, they came to be known as ''Bukharan'' Jews. They regarded themselves as " Isro'il " and " Yahudi ." Bukharan Jews used Persian Language to communicate among themselves and later developed " Bukhori ", a distinct dialect of the Tajiki-Persian Language with certain linguistic traces of Hebrew . This language provided easier communication with their neighboring communities and was used for all cultural and educational life among the Jews. It was used widely until the area was "russified" by the Russians and the dissemination of "religious" information was halted. Almost all Bukharan Jews today speak Russian . HISTORY The Bukharan community in Central Asia had periods of prospering, as well as periods of repression. With the establishment of the Silk Road between China and the West in the 2nd Century BCE that lasted well into the 16th century, many Jews flocked to Central Asia and played a great role in its development. After Their Exile from Israel in 135, they came under the Persian Empire , as they prospered and spread through the area. However, around the 5th century, they were persecuted. Famous Jewish academies in Babylon were closed, while many Jews were killed and expelled (See Mishnah ). After Arab Muslim conquest in the early 8th century, Jews were considered Dhimmis and were forced, among other things, to pay the Jizya head tax. The Mongol invasion in the 13th century also hit hard on Jews of Central Asia . In the beginning of the 16th century, the area was invaded and conquered by Nomad ic Uzbek tribes who established strict observance of Islam and Religious Fundamentalism . Confined to City Quarters , the Jews were denied basic rights and many were forced to Convert to Islam. By the middle of the 18th century practically all of Bukharan Jews lived in Bukharan Emirate . In 1843 Bukharan Jews collected 10,000 silver tan'ga and purchased land in Samarkand , known as ''Makhallai Yakhudion''. At the beginning of 17th century the first synagogue had been constructed at Bukhara city. It was done in contravention of the law of Caliph Omar who had forbidden the construction of new synagogues as well as the destruction of those that existed in the pre-Islamic period. The story of construction of the first Bukhara synagogue relates to two persons: Nodir Divan-Begi - important grandee, and nameless widow, who outwitted an official. In 1793 , a Sefardi Jew from Tetuan , Morocco , named Yosef Maman traveled to Bukhara and found the local Jews in very poor condition, and he decided to settle there. He became a spiritual leader and changed the Persian religious tradition to Sephardic Jew ish tradition. In the middle of the 19th century, Bukharan Jews began to move to the historic Land Of Israel . Land on which they had settled in Jerusalem was called the ''Bukharan quarter'' (Sh'hunat Buhori); it still exists today. In 1865 , Russian troops took over Tashkent , and there was a large influx of Jews to the newly created Turkestan Region. From 1876 to 1916 , dozens of Bukharan Jews held prestigious jobs, and some Jews prospered. Jews were free to practice Judaism . Soviet era , c. 1900.]] With the establishment of Soviet rule on the territory in 1917 , Jewish life seriously deteriorated. Throughout 1920s and 1930s, thousands of Jews, fleeing religious oppression, confiscation of property, arrests, and repressions, escaped (often by foot) to Palestine . World War II brought over a million Jewish Refugees from the European regions of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe through Uzbekistan. After 1991 With the disintegration of the Soviet Union and foundation of the independent Republic of Uzbekistan in 1991, there was an abrupt growth of Nationalism , Chauvinism , and Xenophobia in Uzbek public consciousness. Advent of Islamic fundamentalism in Uzbekistan caused a sudden increase in the level of emigration of Jews (both Bukharan and Ashkenazi ). For the next two decades, about 100,000 immigrated to Israel, another 50,000 to the USA (mainly Queens, New York ) and about 2,000 still remain in Uzbekistan and less than 1,000 in Tajikistan (compared to 15,000 in Tajikistan 1989) Currently, Bukharan Jews are mostly concentrated in the USA ( New York City , Arizona , Atlanta , Denver , San Diego ), as well as Israel , Austria , Russia , and Uzbekistan . New York City 's 108th Street, known as "Bukharan Broadway", is filled with Bukharan restaurants and gift shops. They have formed a tight-knit enclave. On the dawn of the Jewish New Year 5765 (2005), the Bukharan Jewish Community of Queens (mainly Rego Park and Forest Hills ) celebrated the opening of the Bukharian Jewish Congress. This establishment further reflects the growing Bukharan community in Queens and their desire to preserve their identity in an ever-changing world. In early 2006, the still-active Dushanbe Synagogue in Tajikistan as well as the city's mikveh (ritual bath), kosher butchery, and Jewish classrooms were demolished by the government (without compensation to the community) to make room for a new Presidential residence. After an international outcry, the government of Tajikistan reversed their decision and will allow the synagogue to be rebuilt on its current site. CULTURE Bukharan Jews had their own Dress Code , similar to but also different from other cultures living in Central Asia. On weddings today, one can still observe the bride and the close relatives put on the traditional Kaftan and the richly-embroidered fur-lined hats and dance. Although their presence in Central Asia has dissipated, Bukharans remain proud of their Jewish heritage. Cuisine Bukharan cuisine consists mainly of Shish Kabob s of Chicken , Beef or Lamb . Plov is a very popular Uzbek Rice dish that contains Carrot s and is often topped with beef or lamb. Bukharans have two main types of bread. One is called ''Non'', which is a circular bread topped with black Sesame Seed s, and the other is called Noni Toki, which is hubcap Matzoh , a ''lepyoshka'', similar to the Bagel s developed in Europe. Music The Bukharans have a distinct music called ''Shashmaqam'', which is an ensemble of stringed instruments, infused with Central Asian rhythms, Muslim melodies, Russian accents, touches of Klezmer , and even a few Spanish Chord s. NOTABLE BUKHARAN JEWS
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