JIQ Gala
Grand, majestic, solemn, and deeply spiritual — with Hanukkah candles burning brighter than all the chandeliers and spotlights of the Illagio Palace — on the evening of December 16, 2025 a charity gala was held, with proceeds going to support the Jewish Institute of Queens, a school that has become a symbol of a nationwide educational project of Bukharian Jews in America.
It is with exactly such words of admiration and delight that one wants to speak about this remarkable celebration, which brought together philanthropists, politicians, business leaders, community figures, the press, and television — all in support of those striving to raise our children in accordance with the laws and traditions of Jewish education. The goal of this project is to ensure that centuries-nurtured and carefully preserved identity is not lost, that it does not dissolve in the melting pot of assimilation, which leaves no room for historical memory, spirituality, generational continuity, or indigenous culture and art.
Illagio Palace accommodated more than 600 guests, and with each passing year the number of people wishing to take part in this event continues to grow.
“The Jewish Institute of Queens occupies a special place in the life of the Bukharian Jewish community of the city,” Director Zalman Zavulunov told me. “That is why all eyes are turned toward it, and it attracts those who truly care about the future of our children.”
“You build synagogues and community centers. But who will come there in 10–15 years? If there are no worthy schools and yeshivas, they will fall into neglect — as has happened in many Jewish centers across America, Canada, and Europe. Some time will pass, yesterday’s immigrants will settle into their new country, and then they will be able to finance their children’s education themselves. ‘And that is exactly what happened,’” said Lev Leviev, President of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews.
How far-sighted our leader proved to be in his assessment of the situation!
This year, in the second-floor foyer, where the logos of the U.S. Bukharian Jewish Congress and the Jewish Institute of Queens were displayed, banners of RTViUS — the television company with which our newspaper has recently begun active cooperation — were also installed nearby.
A report on the event aired on Wednesday, and many Bukharian Jews living in New York, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Miami, Denver, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and New Jersey became witnesses to an occasion that reflected not only the unity of our community, but also the active desire of Bukharian Jews to support projects aimed at developing Jewish education and upbringing in the United States.
To the Joy of the Community
The hall was filled with an elevated, truly festive atmosphere. A large Hanukkah menorah stood on the stage. Performers included Yuhan, young chazzan Avrom Ibragimov, Albert Narkallaev, and a marvelous instrumental ensemble of Turkish folk musicians. One by one, the candles of the menorah were lit, while the screens showed engaging segments from the life of the Jewish Institute of Queens yeshiva. The evening was hosted by the wonderful DJ Alex Niyazov.
During those days, the entire Jewish world was shaken by the tragic news of the deaths of Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney. The event organizers added a video to the program dedicated to the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 15 Australian Jews.
Addressing the audience, Chagit Leviev Sofiev, President of the JIQ yeshiva and of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the USA and Canada, emphasized the importance of this fundraiser and called on everyone to take a more active part in it by investing in the future of our children.
The honored guest of the Queens borough community, Borough President Donovan Richards, noted the significance of the Bukharian Jewish community in the life of Queens and underscored its role in the social, cultural, and economic life of the city, renowned for its extraordinary ethnic diversity. Thanks to his efforts, the construction of a new memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust has become possible; it will soon be erected near his office on Queens Boulevard.
Together with Yehoshua Leviev, Vice President of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, Donovan Richards lit a Hanukkah candle.
Chagit Leviev Sofiev presented the Queens Borough President with a Certificate of Honor.
“He consistently supports our school and the community as a whole,” she said. “We are all deeply grateful to you!”
Donovan Richards and Boris Matatov, President of the BJCC, together with JIQ yeshiva directors Rabbis Yitzhak Wolowik and Zalman Zavulunov, presented Certificates of Honor to renowned attorney and community political activist Ruben Davidoff and his wife Alla — an honor they truly deserved. Throughout the year we heard the voice of this extraordinary individual at rallies and meetings and read his articles in newspapers and magazines. In him, the community has gained a serious leader capable of changing the political landscape of Queens.
Philanthropists came to the fundraiser with their entire families. Leon Nektalov, former president of the BJCC, attended accompanied by his sons David and Richie Nektalov, his nephew Michael Nektalov, his sister Lyudmila and brother-in-law Yosef Yunatanov, as well as Yossi and Bella Elishaev. They occupied an entire table. Later, as a full family team — including Rabbis Yitzhak Wolowik, Zalman Zavulunov, Shmuel Kogan, and Yosef Alishaev — they went on stage to present Certificates of Honor to young and successful businesspeople and philanthropists: Richie (Rakhmin) and Ashley Nektalov, and Ilana and Michelle Elishaev.
“The work of Lev Leviev in this area has always inspired my admiration,” Leon Nektalov told the author of these lines. “Today it is important that his call to participate in projects developing Jewish education has been embraced by the entire community! Look how many young people are in the hall! They are the ones who will carry forward our achievements tomorrow and make the Bukharian Jewish community strong and powerful.”
I watched these jewelers with pride — young people who, despite their age, provide America’s top-tier singers, fashion designers, and athletes with exclusive jewelry. I thought about how much they have achieved through perseverance and refined taste. At the same time, they do not forget their native community and take part in charitable projects, supporting schools and educational programs both in New York and in Israel.
For the first time, RTViUS participated as an information sponsor. Mikhail Romanovsky, Chief Operating Officer; Georgy Tsikhiseli, News Director; and Alexis Briers, Head of Sales, presented Chagit Leviev Sofiev with a Certificate of Honor recognizing the significant role of the yeshiva’s leadership in Jewish education and in preserving Jewish identity among the younger generation.
“I haven’t been to Queens in a long time, and for me the magnificent, beautiful Illagio Hall, the Jewish Institute of Queens, and this charity evening are a testament to the strength and power of the Bukharian Jewish community of Queens,” Georgy Tsikhiseli told me. “Nearly 600 people filled this hall, and you can feel that you are all united by the desire to protect your children from the influence of the street and to nurture spirituality within them. I noticed a young man dressed in a gold-embroidered robe performing a song in the native language of Bukharian Jews! And he, too, is a student of this yeshiva.”
That evening, as always, a substantial sum was raised. The community spares no expense when it comes to the upbringing and education of children.
Recently, I met with the directors of the Jewish Institute of Queens yeshiva — Rabbis Zalman Zavulunov and Yitzhak Wolowik — and we discussed a plan under which yeshiva students will receive special classes, including instruction in the Bukharian Jewish language, national dance, and singing. The first phase of this program, in which students study drawing and painting under the guidance of Yakov Kandinov, is already underway at the BJCC. In March, during the celebration of Purim, the first children’s art exhibition will take place.
On that day, singer Ben Denishman, a Kurdish Jew, and our comedian Isaac Plishtiev performed with great success, the latter bringing the house down with his sparkling jokes.
The festive Hanukkah celebration and fundraising day were covered by television channels RTVi, KaykovTV, KaykovMedia, as well as the newspaper The Bukharian Times.
May the spirit and light of Hanukkah remain with you, dear readers, throughout the year!
Rafael Nektalov
Editor-in-Chief, Bukharian Times
Photos by Kaykov Media
This was translated
from Russian into English.