"JDC and I Found Each Other" in Uzbekistan

When Oksana was 13 the ban on religion was lifted by the former Soviet Union. Eager to explore her Jewish roots, she began three years of studying Hebrew from Israelis, who came to Bukhara, to teach the Jewish community the language. "Unlike my older sister, who is 29, I had more of an opportunity to be exposed to Jewish things, and they always really appealed to me."

Invited by a friend to visit the local Jewish youth club, there Oksana became acquainted with Jewish traditions. Becoming an active club participant and leader, she would learn Shabbat songs than go home and introduce them to her family. "I wasn't afraid to be a Jew," reiterates the passionate young woman.

When she went on to university, Oksana transitioned into a volunteer role at the club, where she helped organize programs and holiday events for children and youth. "I was trying to reach out, get them closer to the Jewish tradition, and bring them together to communicate with each other and become a youth community."

During her years of voluntarism, Oksana observed many grave problems. "There were children who really needed help – not only material help. We had children who had no friends, couldn't speak, or were afraid that no one would understand them." She explains that some of the children were hungry, and others likely had familial problems. She invited psychologists to do games with these youngsters and provide support.

Displaying maturity beyond her years, Oksana explains that helping Jewish children in need has special meaning for her. "It all goes back to my father."

Born to a family of six children and utter poverty, Oksana's father, Lev, endured harsh living conditions as a young boy. Unable to feed him, his parents sent him away to a boarding school where he grew up. Thereafter, he took on three jobs simultaneously in order to have enough money for his basic needs. "He swore that his children would have anything they needed; that he would never make them feel the same as he felt as a child." Today Lev is the coordinator for the Jewish Agency in Bukhara as well as the JDC volunteer there.

Earlier this year Oksana became the Coordinator of JDC's Children's Program in Tashkent. Having witnessed firsthand the problems of children at the community club, Oksana was inspired by JDC's mission. "I heard about it and it had meaning for me because it dealt with bringing relief to people in need," she explains. "The JDC and I…we found each other."

Now, nearly fifteen years after the fall of Communism Oksana says that she has many friends and contemporaries who are exploring whether they might have Jewish roots. "They tell me that we have so many activities for Jewish youth and families, and they see the pride and caring that people take in the Jewish community. They want to be a part of it."