About this Event
The eclectic story of Central Asia's ancient Jewish community—Bukharian Jews—is situated at the lesser-known intersection of Sephardic, Mizrahi and Russian-Speaking Jewish identities. Join us as we discover the ways in which Bukharian Jews have developed their multilayered and rich culture against the backdrop of the changing societies surrounding them—including various Persian, Arab, Turkic and Russian empires. Taking us on a journey through Central Asia, West Asia/the Middle East, North Africa, the United States and Europe, our discussion will also shed light on how the Bukharian Jewish experience fits into the broader historical saga of the Jewish People.
Ruben Shimonov is an educator, community builder, and social entrepreneur passionate about Jewish diversity and intercultural understanding. He previously served as Director of Community Engagement & Education at Queens College Hillel. Currently, Ruben is the National Director of Sephardi House & Young Leadership at the American Sephardi Federation. He is also the Founding Executive Director of the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, as well as Director of Educational Experiences and Programming for the Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee. As a visual artist, Ruben uses his multilingual Arabic-Hebrew-Persian calligraphy to build Muslim-Jewish interfaith bridges. Ruben has been listed among The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36” emerging leaders and changemakers. He has lectured around the world on the histories and cultures of Sephardic and Mizrahi communities.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, United States
USD 10.00