On October 25, at noon, a solemn ceremony marking the completion of a new Torah scroll took place at Troika Restaurant. The scroll was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Ilya Moiseyevich Borukhov, a man who made an enormous contribution to the healthcare system of Bukhara and Uzbekistan.
Only two years have passed since his death, but his devoted children, including his son Shamil Borukhov, continue to honor and preserve their father’s memory.
“He was a true doctor by vocation,” his grateful patients would say. Others would add, “Our beloved Bukharian doctor”—a description that applied not only to Jews but to all the residents of multicultural Bukhara, a city where different ethnic communities have lived side by side for centuries.
“It is very important to cultivate within the family a sacred respect for our ancestors and parents, especially for such a remarkable man as Dr. Ilya Moiseyevich Borukhov, who faithfully served his people,” emphasized Rabbi Baruch Babayev, Chief Rabbi of the Bukharian Jews of the United States and Canada, who was the first to inscribe a letter in the Torah scroll.
“But something else is even more important: His son, Shamil Borukhov, a philanthropist and a man deeply sensitive to the suffering of others, continues his father’s good deeds and charitable work.”
“His optimism, love of life, ability to support people during difficult times, and refusal to dwell on problems drew people to him and made him special to everyone who knew him.”
On this day, everyone also remembered the late doctor’s wife, Lizaveta Rafaelovna. She was a devoted wife, friend, and adviser to my father. With honor and dignity, she supported her husband through all his challenging endeavors, particularly the establishment of the first regional endocrinology service in Uzbekistan, in Bukhara.
Dr. Borukhov commanded tremendous respect throughout the Bukhara region, where he served in this position for more than 30 years.
The ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Israel Yukhananov. Unlike at similar celebrations, there was no customary auction. Instead, every guest was given the opportunity to inscribe a letter in the Torah scroll. Guests were called forward by name, and each fulfilled this mitzvah.
“All funds raised through this initiative will go toward supporting the Bukharian Jewish community in Netanya, Israel,” Rabbi Yukhananov said.
I, too, had the good fortune to inscribe a letter, which I dedicated to my grandson, Yaakov-Rafael. May Hashem strengthen his health and grant him the strength to serve Hashem.
This was translated from Russian.
By Rafael Nektalov