In every life, there are moments when a door that was believed to be forever closed suddenly swings open Advocacy
In every life, there are moments when a door that was believed to be forever closed suddenly swings open—thanks to those who believe in you more than you dare believe in yourself.
For me, such a turning point arrived with the opportunity to pursue studies at Ariel University in Israel in the specialized program “Combating Antisemitism, Public Advocacy, and Communications”—a unique initiative shaping a new generation of Jewish leaders equipped to confront the challenges of our time.
This chance truly comes once in a lifetime. And it became reality largely due to the generosity and foresight of Marik Kalontarov, Chairman of the International Memorial Fondation by name Moshe Ha Nosi Kalontar—a philanthropic organization whose mission extends beyond charity to strategic investment in the Jewish future through education, leadership, and identity preservation.
The financial assistance granted to me by the Foundation is far more than a scholarship. It is an act of profound trust in my personal mission: to safeguard Jewish heritage—particularly the rich, centuries-old legacy of Central Asian Jewry—and to represent it on the global stage with dignity, knowledge, and deep respect for the diversity of the Jewish experience. My studies at Ariel are equipping me with the tools to transform this mission into informed, ethical, and effective public advocacy.
Yet no journey toward purpose unfolds without a moral compass. Mine has been Rafael Nektalov—Ustod, Mentor, and catalyst of the Bukharian Jewish community’s renewal. His wisdom, devotion to tradition, and belief in the younger generation have laid the very foundation upon which I’ve built my commitment to Jewish service. It was he who taught me that true leadership emerges from responsibility to the past and care for the future.
I am deeply grateful to Marik Kalontarov for his generosity and vision, and to Rafael Nektalov for his guidance and inspiration. Together, they embody a timeless truth: our Jewish community thrives when elders uplift the young, the fortunate support those in need, and the wise light the path for those who seek.
May this story serve as encouragement to others—to dream boldly, pursue knowledge relentlessly, and remember that each of us can become the very “catalyst” who changes someone’s life.
Moshe Sabirov is a Photojournalist and Bukharian Jewish Community Advocate based in Israel
Moshe Sabirov