Inspirational Bukharian Women

Read stories about the inspiring Bukharian Jewish women in our community

Rachel Davidov – Her story

Rachel Davidov – Her story

I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. My family immigrated from former Soviet Union in 1993. Moving to USA was rough being a teenager. Went to high school, made good friends; with many of them still in contact. My sister and I had to work to help our parents with the...

read more
Olga Zakinova – Her Story

Olga Zakinova – Her Story

Presently a Platinum Award Winning Associate Real Estate Broker at Douglas Elliman in Queens and Long Island my journey began in Russia, in the most loving and giving home of a family living in Tashkent.  I was the first child and my parents loved me unconditionally....

read more
Asnat Yuabov – Our Future

Asnat Yuabov – Our Future

My name is Asnat Yuabov, and I am an OMS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am a first-generation American and an Orthodox Bukharian Jew. I’ll be talking about my journey to medical school! While at Queens College, I did...

read more
Ilana Rachnaev – her story

Ilana Rachnaev – her story

Being a first generation American born to traditional Bukharian family came with many beautiful yet challenging experiences. As a child I grew up having pride in my identity and empowered by my grandparents and parents to overcome hurdles along the journey of...

read more
Linda Mashkabova – her story

Linda Mashkabova – her story

Originally from Tashkent City in Uzbekistan, my story begins like most others in my community. My family immigrated from the Soviet Union when I was only 7 years old. Having just started first grade in a school in Russia, we had to leave everything behind in October...

read more
Olga Kagan – her story

Olga Kagan – her story

This project helped me reflect on my life and express my inner dialogue of “Who I Am.” I was raised by a single mom in the fruitful city of Tashkent. My mother was my world, my mentor, and my role model and remains so despite her physical absence. From an early age, I...

read more
Elizaveta Ioussoupova -her story

Elizaveta Ioussoupova -her story

My name is Elizaveta Ioussoupova (Yusupova) and I was born in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. I would like to dedicate this brief story of my life to all the people who have supported me in my journey to become who I am. My childhood was pretty amazing. I was raised by my...

read more
Mazal Matayev – her story

Mazal Matayev – her story

Every soul has its journey specifically designed for it. My souls journey began in Shakhrisabz, Uzbekistan (part of the former Soviet Union). My paternal grandma who was so connected to her Jewish heritage, decided to do a courageous move and immigrate to Israel in...

read more
Irena Davidoff – her story

Irena Davidoff – her story

Growing up in the beautiful city of Tashkent impacted my life in a very positive way. I have very warm and vivid memories of living there. Tashkent is a city of four seasons; I still remember the warmth of the sun and the aroma of blooming apple and cherry trees. I...

read more
Lyudmila Mierova – Her Story

Lyudmila Mierova – Her Story

I was born in Tajikistan, Dushanbe. I had the most perfect childhood that any child could ever imagine. All seemed great, until the civil war broke out. Little by little things began to change and life wasn't as “magical” anymore. I remember reading my mother's...

read more