The Power of Judaism

Life is full of learning, primarily due to our daily life experiences. These experiences are based on our surrounding environment, from where we learn new things every day. But all these experiences result from our keen observations out of daily routines. It is crucial to note that life also gives us chances to experience new people or places that are out of the ordinary. That is when we learn new and unique things; hence these are individual experiences of our life that we remember throughout our life span. For example, I have joined the Jewish Youth Movement (JYM), a lifetime-changing experience. Going through new and significant things filled me with contentment. I am delighted and expect many more things and unique experiences to come and make me enjoy new and exciting things. So learning about the Bukharian Community with a deeper understanding of religion is a significant part of life because it can help you grow as a human being and learn many things that can help you succeed in the future. Therefore, through personal experiences, one can demonstrate the importance of joining these communities, thus conveying to young people that living this experience would allow them to share with self-opinionated people.

Additionally, many individuals, including myself, can reach conclusions that could change their thinking and seeing life. Consequently, by presenting my personal experience, I can tell people how essential joining a discourse community can be. Like the members of any religion or culture, Jews think about and express their identities in various ways, prioritizing their Jewish identity differently within the mix of other factors that make them who they are.

However, my story begins when I was raised in a typical Bukharian family where we are introduced to being Jewish in some ways but don't have many understandings compared to an orthodox Bukharian jew. From all years since I was a child, I was raised in a public school and visited Jewish time-release programs to learn about Judaism. It's very different from being in a public school because the environment focuses more on academics than religion. I never thought I was different when I was younger because I was Jewish. It didn’t occur to me until high school when I started getting involved with more knowledge of Judaism. It's a weird feeling throughout, thinking I’m just like everyone else, except there’s that little part of me that still doesn't know most aspects of religion, and it makes me different compared to orthodox Jews. Now, things have changed. I feel connected with my Jewish community, and all thanks for joining the Jewish youth movement, which changed my path in many ways. After entering the group, I learned more about my religion and how to be more involved with the community by creating many events within the Bukharian Community Center. Events such as the Oneg Shabatton, Purim parties, Onegs, and more to come. Attending these events made me have a wonderful and enjoyable time throughout. I was able to meet new people, make new friends, be more social, act as a leader, and be responsible for making guests happy.

Overall, joining a Bukharian Jewish community can profoundly impact one's life, not only in terms of spirituality and religious observance but also in terms of personal growth and community involvement. By participating in community events and volunteering for charitable causes, individuals can develop a sense of purpose and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Finally, being part of a Bukharian Jewish community can give individuals a sense of cultural identity and pride. The Bukharian Jewish community has a rich history and cultural heritage, celebrated through food, music, and other cultural traditions. By participating in these activities, individuals can connect with their roots and gain a deeper appreciation for their cultural heritage.

Ima Aviva Chapovsky