Bukharan Jews, who trace their ancestry back to Jews exiled to Persia in the 5^th century (BCE), have lived in Uzbekistan for more than 2,000 years. During the centuries when Uzbekistan was a major trading route along the Silk Road from China to western Europe, the Bukharan Jewish community thrived. By the later half of the 12^th century (CE), it is believed that 50,000 Jews lived in Uzbekistan.

With the Mongol invasion in the 13^th century came large-scale massacres of the entire populace – both non-Jews and Jews. During the next five centuries, Jews lived under Moslem rule. Though Jews were not violently persecuted, they did have to abide by many severe restrictions that dictated where they could live and established dress codes and excessive taxation. Still, Uzbeki Jews prospered, and many were considered distinguished musicians and dancers.

Over time, however, Uzbeki Jews became increasingly secular. By the end of the 18^th century, many had lost all connection to their Jewish traditions. Visiting rabbis, most notably Rabbi Joseph Maman al-Maghrebi, revived Judaic traditions, re-established Uzbeki Jews links to world Jewry, and instilled a sense of Zionism. By 1830s, Bukharan Jews had settled in the Old City of Jerusalem. By 1914, 1,500 lived in Jerusalem.

In the 1860s, Czarist Russia annexed Uzbekistan. Ashkenazi Jews from Czarist Russia began settling in Uzbekistan as part of Czarist Russia’s efforts to Russify the region. They and the Bukharan Jews enjoyed unique freedoms, not known in other parts of the Russian Empire. Free of the restrictions, Jews prospered, exporting cotton, silk, rugs and dried fruits to Russia. Though most Jews were shopkeepers, a number became enormously wealthy landowners. In 1889, the Czarist government began to abolish most of the Uzbeki Jews’ freedoms. They were longer allowed to own property and, ultimately, were prohibited from traveling to Russia.

Though many Uzbeki Jews initially welcomed the Communist revolution because it promised universal freedom, many later fled to Palestine and western Europe after their property was confiscated and they were forced onto collective farms.

During World War II, Ashkenazi Jews from European Russia were evacuated to Uzbekistan. Many remained in the area. Despite the Soviet government’s official policy of enforced atheism, Bukharan Jews clung tenaciously to their culture. The Ashkenazim, who had lost all ties to extended families and their Jewish traditions, became assimilated Soviets.

In 1991, independence was proclaimed. Greater personal freedoms followed, but new trials were soon on the horizon. Civil war in neighboring Tajdikistan destabilized the region. Between 1989 and 2001, 78,905 Uzbeki Jews made aliyah.

Today, health services are woefully inadequate, and crime has risen as living standards have declined.

JDC has been a presence in the region since the early 1990s. Amid much hardship and adversity, the Jewish community struggles to retain its identity and customs.

2005