Dear Friends,
We are just over a month away from an important and large-scale event of the
year – the "Week of Bukharian Jewish Culture and Art in America,"
which will take place from September 15 to 22 in Queens. This event is
dedicated to several significant anniversaries: the 60th anniversary of the
Bukharian Jewish Center, the 25th anniversary of the Bukharian Jewish Congress
of the USA and Canada, the 25th anniversary of the women's organization
"Esther-a-Malka" and the magazine "Ladies' World," and the
20th anniversary of the Eduard Nektalov Charitable Foundation.
It's not often that so many significant anniversaries coincide, providing a
great opportunity for such a global celebration. Understanding that any
community event (especially one as grand and significant as this) is best held
together, the major public organizations and media outlets of the Bukharian
Jewish community decided to unite our ideas and efforts to organize a large
seven-day marathon, summarizing our many achievements in various areas of the
community's social and cultural life.
The idea of a festival week arose naturally. When choosing a date for the
event "Person of the Year 2024" and our organization's anniversary,
we considered that guests from Israel planned to return home for the Jewish
holidays at the beginning of October. Therefore, we chose Sunday, September 15.
It turned out that exactly one week later, on September 22, the celebration of
the Bukharian Jewish Center's anniversary was already planned.
During a recent working meeting with community leaders – Boris Kandov, Leon
Nektalov, and Rafael Nektalov – an interesting idea was proposed to include
other community events and celebrations within the timeframe of September 15 to
22. Rafael Nektalov suggested an interesting and extensive cultural program,
which we approved, and we discussed the details of preparing for the festival
week during that same meeting.
I am very pleased and inspired that we are the ones to kick off the series
of festival days. The key event, the international "Person of the Year
2024” competition ( along with the celebration of our 25-anniversary) which we
are actively preparing, will headline a series of other events celebrating our
community's achievements and contributions in America.
Our entire women's organization and the magazine's editorial team are fully
immersed in the preparation and execution of the planned events. This process,
though labor-intensive, is as exciting as the event itself! Perhaps that's why
our organization's women/activists always seem happy and younger than their
years!
We are energetically preparing a unique and vibrant celebration, honoring
volunteers and activists who have stood out during this challenging time for
Israel. Friends, this event is a CHARITY EVENT. Israel, its heroic army, and
its people still need our help and support, and we must not relax.
We have been in America for over thirty years, self-sufficient, and able to
financially support the brave soldiers of the IDF: to provide funds for
purchasing bulletproof vests, ambulances, tents, food, and support for families
affected by the war. Spiritual support (prayers, reading Tehillim) and
political support (fighting against antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment) are
also important.
Therefore, this year, the winners of the competition will be recognized in
the following categories:
- Charity
- Heroic Deed
- Fight Against
Antisemitism
At this moment, we have several nominees from Israel and America. We
continue to accept applications and recommendations for candidates deserving
the title of "Person of the Year 2024." Please send your suggestions
(no more than 150-200 words) to ladiesworld@gmail.com.
I invite the entire community to attend all festival events, including the
film festival, art exhibition, scholars' conference, meetings with poets and
writers, and celebrations of the mentioned anniversaries. This is a great
opportunity to come together, celebrate our people, feel pride in their
achievements, thank those who support Israel, and strengthen the bond between
the diaspora and the State of Israel.
Welcome!
Editor-in-chief Dr. Zoya Maksumova
(August 2024, "Ladies’ World" №278)
