The Bukharan Jews: Silk Road Merchants and Soviet Survival

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the centuries-old community of Bukharan Jews in Central Asia. From their origins as merchants on the Silk Road to their life under the Emirate of Bukhara and through Soviet times, we uncover how they preserved their unique Judeo-Tajik language and customs. We discuss the mahalla of Bukhara, the role of the Hovlin synagogue, the impact of the 1920 Soviet takeover, and the community's eventual migration in the late 20th century. Learn about key figures like Rabbi Yosef Maimon and the struggles of maintaining identity under Soviet atheism. This is a story of resilience, trade, and cultural survival along the ancient trade routes.

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