On February 1, 2026, members of the Congress of Bukharian Jews of the USA and Canada and the Bukharian Jewish Center of New York met with representatives of the newly established Kew Forest Republican Club, located in Forest Hills.
The initiative for the meeting came from the club’s co-founder, attorney Kathryn Donnelly. She was joined by Republican Club board member Rochelle Kirschner and Republican State Committeeman for the 28th District, Bart Haggerty.
“I read an interview given by the Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times, Rafael Nektalov, to a colleague from the Israeli newspaper Menorah. I was struck by the boldness of his judgments and his original assessment of Mayor Mamdani’s election results,” said Kathryn Donnelly. “We spoke by phone and were able to meet today.”
After thanking the guests, Rafael Nektalov introduced Chagit Leviev Sofiev, President of the Congress of Bukharian Jews of the USA and Canada; Boris Matatov, President of the Bukharian Jewish Center; Dr. David Pinkhasov, Speaker of the Board of Directors; and Rabbi Yitzchak Wolowik, Director of the Jewish Institute of Queens.
Shifting Political Realities
“We are here to discuss the deteriorating situation in the community and the lack of conservatives in local public office,” Nektalov stated. “In 2024, President Trump won impressive victories in several other districts. If the Democrats had not redrawn the boundaries of the 28th District (Forest Hills, Rego Park, and Kew Gardens), diluting the influence of Bukharian Jewish and other Republican-leaning voters, Trump could have turned the 28th District red.”
David Pinkhasov confirmed that community members who voted for Trump were resolute in their support.
Chagit Leviev Sofiev noted that, unfortunately, a prevailing opinion in the district suggests that only affiliation with the Democratic Party offers a chance for cooperation with politicians who fund state programs.
“Nevertheless, judging by how the Republican Party has activated and progressed over the last five years in Brooklyn, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and other Russian-speaking enclaves—and considering the election of Michael Novakhovand Alec Brook-Krasny to the NY State Assembly, and Ari Kagan and Inna Vernikov to the City Council—a different political reality is emerging: a fundamental shift of these communities toward the Republican Party,” she remarked.
“Unfortunately, Bukharian Jews do not hold any elected positions in the City Council, the NY State Legislature, or the U.S. Congress, despite numbering over 80,000 in Queens and about 100,000 nationwide. They are one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups, yet they haven’t achieved political success in New York so far,” added Rochelle Kirschner.
“I hope the changes that began in Brooklyn will happen in Queens, but we must clearly coordinate our efforts so that the traditional values defended by Republicans become the norm for our community,” emphasized Boris Matatov.
Safety and Legal Concerns
The guests spoke about the importance of voter registration—regardless of party affiliation—and the need to nominate young, politically active leaders.
The meeting also addressed the rise of antisemitism in Queens, citing the recent broad-daylight attack on Rabbi David Shushan. While the perpetrator was caught and prosecutors requested a $40,000 bail, Democratic Judge Sharifa Nasser-Cuellar released the suspect—despite District Attorney Melinda Katz’s strong statements on the case.
“It is specifically the ‘no cash bail’ laws, along with other flawed measures by the Democrat-controlled legislature, that partially prompted us to start this new club. The goal of the Republican Club is to find candidates who believe in the rule of law and won’t bypass it to protect criminals,” stressed Bart Haggerty.
The guests toured the facilities of the Congress and the Center, took a commemorative photo with the Chief Rabbi of Bukharian Jews of the USA and Canada, Baruch Babayev, and expressed their deep gratitude.
The Kew Forest Republican Club officially launched on February 2, 2026, at the Aged Steakhouse in Forest Hills. The venue was at full capacity with over 100 attendees, 40 of whom joined the club that evening.
The club’s first meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM at White Radish (108-25 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills). For more information, please email: info@kewforestrepublicanclub.org.
Rafael Kaykov
Photos by the author
This was translated from Russian into English