Law
By Eli Takhalov
The Bukharian Law Association (BLA) held its 3rd Annual Winter Gala on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Floral Terrace, bringing together legal professionals, students, and community leaders. The event highlighted the BLA’s significant growth and its commitment to supporting the next generation of Bukharian legal professionals.
The evening began with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and a series of remarks from the association’s leadership and honored guests.
Leo Jacobs, BLA founder and president, delivered the keynote address, outlining the organization’s purpose and future plans. «The Bukharian Law Association was not created for convenience. It was created out of necessity,» Jacobs stated. «When many of us started our legal careers, there was talent. But there was no structure. There was ambition, but there was no guidance.»
Jacobs detailed the BLA’s core pillars, which he described as «systems, not slogans.» He reported the association’s membership has grown to include about 175 lawyers, 150 law students, 60 paralegals, and 50 pre-law students.
In his address, Jacobs detailed the BLA’s foundational initiatives, which begin with education through practical training, master classes, and fireside chats designed to bridge the gap between legal theory and practice. Furthermore, he described an outreach and pipeline program built on a specific structure where «a pre-law college student is paired with a law student who is paired with a practicing attorney,» creating what Jacobs called «three levels, one pipeline, one purpose.»
A New ‘Legal Fund’ for the Community
To serve the community directly, Jacobs announced the launch of the Bukharian Community Legal Fund, a formal panel of BLA attorneys who will be paid to provide legal services to those in need. He also emphasized the importance of economic empowerment by fostering referrals and collaborations, and shared the ultimate goal of building a legacy by establishing a physical headquarters for the BLA to host its educational programs and community events.
Jacobs concluded with an appeal for financial support, urging attendees to back their vocal support with donations “to build a vision greater for their children.»
The evening also featured messages from prominent community figures. A video message was shared from Rabbi Baruch Babayev, the Chief Rabbi of the Bukharian Jewish Community of the United States and Canada, who offered his blessings and praised the BLA’s work. «We need good lawyers, we need good specialists,» the Chief Rabbi said, urging the youth to learn from leaders like Jacobs, Albert Dayan, and Ruben Davidoff, whom he specifically recognized for their work with the community.
Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (R,C-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) spoke of the Bukharian community’s growth, calling the attendees «builders of the future,» and contrasting them with «destroyers on New York City streets.» He praised Leo Jacobs’ leadership.
«I see [a] community that’s becoming one of the most powerful communities in New York City,» Brook-Krasny said. «The Jewish people will always win.»
Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov delivered an emotional speech, sharing his personal story and emphasizing the importance of mutual support within the community and giving back.
«The greatest tzedakah, charity, is when we give each other business,» Rabbi Nisanov said.
He utilized the mnemonic phrase «Ani Bukhari Ge’eh» (I am a proud Bukharian), attributed to Lev Leviev, to encourage the professionals in the room «always be proud» and «not be ashamed to wear a yarmulke,” while navigating the secular professional world. In his late daughter’s memory, he announced the creation of the Rachel Eliza Nisanov Scholarship Fund which aims to raise substantial funds to provide financial assistance for Bukharian children in yeshiva.
BLA board members Mari Isakov and Emanuel Kataev provided additional perspectives on the association’s work. Itshakov highlighted the increasing number of female attorneys within the BLA.
A significant moment of the evening was the recognition of Judge Raisa Cohen, who Jacobs introduced as the only known Bukharian judge. Appointed by then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch to the immigration bench, Judge Cohen reflected on the progress the community has made in the legal field.
“Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to,” Judge Cohen said.
A toast to ‘our parents who sacrificed everything’
«When my husband became a lawyer in 2002, he was one of maybe five Bukharian lawyers,» Judge Cohen recalled. «When I became a female Bukharian lawyer in 2007, I was maybe one of another five. Now, I am standing here before all of you, and we are in the hundreds.» She concluded by leading a toast to «our parents who sacrificed everything,» «the legacy we’re building for our own children,» and «a new community.»
The gala successfully underscored the BLA’s role in embracing heritage within the Bukharian Jewish legal community. The evening’s program laid out an ambitious agenda for the BLA, centered on future initiatives to nurture legal talent and serve the community.
For more information or to donate, visit bukhla.com
Eli Takhalov is in his second year at Brooklyn Law School.
Photos by Action Studios by Eli