Join us September 27, 2018 at the Candler School of Theology for a screening of "Bukharan Jews: Memories of a Disappearing Past." The screening will be held at the Rita Anne Rollins Building in Room 252. Visitor parking is available in Emory University's Peavine Lot, 29 Eagle Row, Atlanta, 30306.

Bukharan Jews have occupied various Central Asian cities, towns, and villages for centuries. Some say they arrived at the end of the Babylonian exile when Cyrus the Great, gave the Jews permission to return to Palestine after his conquest of Babylonia, in 538 B.C.E.  Other accounts trace Jewish emigration to Central Asia up to the 20th century with constant assimilation of new waves of Jewish immigration. Whatever their provenance, Bukharan Jews were deeply ensconced in the region for centuries where they played a significant part in the development of Central Asian civilization. Bukharan Jews relate their names to the city of Bukhara in current Uzbekistan. They state that they moved to this city two thousand years ago.

"Bukharan Jews: Memories of a Disappearing Past" presents the stories from the memories of the six elderly Bukharan Jews equally represented from both genders, who currently reside either in New York city or in the city of Bukhara. After a brief introduction by the co-director, Rahimjon Abdugafurov, the interviewees speak about themselves including their background, profession, and what they are involved in at present. They tell stories about their childhood, neighbors, wedding parties, and traditions. They emphasize the importance of preserving the Bukharan Jewish culture and the language, which is known as Bukhori. They speak proudly of their friendly relations with Muslims in the city of Bukhara. The duration of the film is sixty-five minutes. Released on February, 28th, 2018, the film is supported by Vanderbilt and Emory Universities.