From Bukhara’s bazaars to Jerusalem’s streets, discover the rich history and legacy of the Bukharian Jews.
ONLINE
THURSDAY, 12:00-1:30pm (ET), October 30 - November 13, 2025
Discover the Bukharan Jews—an ancient community where silk-laden bazaars, ornate arches, and the cadence of Judeo-Tajik shaped a vibrant Jewish life. Savor their rich cuisine, hear the melodies of shashmaqam, and picture the embroidered garments that colored their celebrations. From the bustling markets of Bukhara to Jerusalem’s grand Bukharan Quarter, their story is a living mosaic of resilience, flavor, and beauty.
Course Description:
Step into a world of desert caravans, ancient cities, and vibrant Jewish life along the legendary Silk Road. For over 2,000 years, Bukharian Jews thrived in the heart of Central Asia, speaking their own language (Bukhori), preserving deep Jewish traditions, and leaving their mark on trade, culture, and scholarship. Long before political Zionism, they journeyed from Bukhara to Jerusalem, building a thriving Jewish Quarter that still stands today. In this three-part series, uncover the fascinating history, rich traditions, and lasting legacy of this remarkable community whose story bridges East and West.
Sessions:
1. Who Are the Bukharian Jews? – Meet the people whose identity was shaped by the bazaars of Samarkand, the courtyards of Bukhara, and centuries of Jewish life in Central Asia.
2. The Bukharian Journey – From Bukhara to Jerusalem – Follow the 19th-century trek from the Silk Road to the Holy City, fueled by Messianic hope and a vision of spiritual renewal.
3. Jews of the Silk Road: Influence and Legacy in Central Asia – Discover how Jewish merchants, artisans, and scholars became integral to the cultural and economic heartbeat of the Silk Road.
This course is presented in affiliation with SAMI- the Sephardic American Mizrahi Initiative.
Thursdays, 12:00 - 1:30 pm (ET)
Manashe Khaimov is a fourth-generation community organizer, Jewish educator, and lifelong learner dedicated to elevating Sephardic and Mizrahi voices in Jewish life. As founder and CEO of SAMi: Sephardic American Mizrahi Initiative, he leads a culture shift on college campuses nationwide. He also teaches Jews of the Silk Road at Queens College and founded the Bukharian Jewish Union for young professionals.
Born in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Manashe’s identity is rooted in Bukharian, Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Russian-speaking traditions. He has held leadership roles at Hillel International, JIMENA, and UJA-Federation of NY, and has been recognized with honors including the Queens Impact Award, Jewish Week “36 Under 36,” and Person of the Year by the Bukharian Jewish Congress. Now based in Hollywood, Florida, he holds an MSW from Hunter College and a BA in Marketing and Corporate Communication from Baruch College.
