BUCHARA THROUGH TIME. FROM THE SERIES "HISTORY OF THE JEWISH DIASPORA"
06.07.2021
Alex Tabak, a professiona Israeli guide, wide traveller and photographer, led us virtually through Buchara using his photos. Alex told us about the significant geography of the city along the Silk Route and the presence of Jewish traders in the city. Together with Alex we toured the world heritage fortress Ark and the Kalyan minaret that served as a lighthouse. We learned how to distinguish Jews from Muslims by their hats and where to find mezuzas in the Jewish home. We talked about synagogues in Bukhara that are hidden in private houses, the Jewish community there, and four Torah Scrolls that survived the ravages of two wars and the Soviet Union.
It was so cool how Alex used his own travel experience and photos of simple people with unusual and interesting life stories. I loved the story of Usuf, who writes Torah scrolls in Midras. And the Jewish girls who embroidered the Parohet for the Aron HaKodesh, leaving one corner undone to defend against the evil eye. There were many small details that helped us feel the real atmosphere of the city!
Ekaterina M.
