MILESTONE
Congratulations to Ladies’ World magazine and the entire Esther-a-Malka organization on this extraordinary milestone — 300 issues!
As a woman, I know how much it means to have a publication that truly sees you — one that celebrates not just your achievements, but your resilience, your community spirit, and the quiet, tireless work that so often goes unrecognized. Ladies’ World has been that publication for Bukharian Jewish women in America for 27 years, and its importance cannot be overstated.
I have had the personal privilege of working with Dr. Zoya Maksumova through our newspaper, where she has generously contributed her writing and insight over the years. Through that collaboration, I have come to deeply appreciate not only her extraordinary organizational talent, but her genuine passion for elevating the women around her. Her words have stayed with me—particularly her description of the women honored in the ‘Person of the Year’ competition: ‘If a woman wills it, she will pass through a rock.’ That spirit lives on every page of her magazine.
As an honorary member of the Bukharian community, I have seen firsthand how Ladies’ World and Esther-a-Malka have shaped the image and status of Bukharian Jewish women in America—honoring their contributions, amplifying their voices, and inspiring a new generation to carry that legacy forward. The ‘Woman of the Year,’ ‘Outstanding Mother,’ and ‘Person of the Year’ competitions have become landmark annual events since 2002, not just for the organization, but for the entire Russian-speaking Jewish community of New York and beyond—reaching communities in Israel, Austria, and Uzbekistan.
Dr. Zoya Maksumova and her dedicated team of volunteers have poured their hearts into this work—month after month, issue after issue—touching countless lives around the world.
Thank you for everything you do. Here’s to the next 300!
ERIN LEVI