This past Motza’ei Shabbat, Be’er hagolah Institutes hosted its first ever Alumni Patrons Circle event. The event was dedicated to the memory of the beloved Rabbi and Rebbetzin Avner and Leya German a”h, Dean of Be’er Hagolah. We interviewed the co-chairman of the Alumni Patrons Circle Yitzhak Musayev who is the Associate Director of Financial and Investment Services for the Jewish Communal Fund in New York City. Yitzhak’s wife Miriam is also an alumnus of BHI. Yitzhak has been active in establishing a synagogue in Midwood specifically geared to young Bukharian families. This is actually a tradition in the Musayev family dating back some 150 years. Yitzhak’s great-great-uncle, Rabbi Shlomo Moussaieff - a wealthy banker from Bukhara – settled in Israel in the late 1800s and started a Bukharian shul in Jerusalem, To this day, it is known as the Moussaieff Shul in the Old City. Carrying on this family legacy came naturally to Yitzhak. Yitzhak’s achievements are a credit to his multifaceted strength and talents, his driven passion and strong work ethic. They are also a tribute to those who believed in him back when he first entered the portals of BHI back in 1996.
BJL - Yitzhak, tell us about you background and how you came to BHI
YM - Our family was pretty much a typical, traditional Bukharian family that immigrated to New York in 1996. My parents were fortunate to meet up with Rabbi Avraham Reich, who recommended and assisted in placing me in Be’er Hagolah Institutes. It wasn’t an easy transition for me but the warmth and understanding I received from Rabbi and Rebbetzin German, the Rabbis and teachers at BHI made me feel much better. It also helped to find out that I wasn’t the only kid going through such a transition.
BJL - What was your experience like in BHI
YM - It was a very positive experience. I obviously struggled in the beginning – learning English and switching my favorite sport from soccer to basketball took some time – but I started succeeding in class and gained lots of friends.
Looking back, BHI gave me the foundation that I needed to succeed both as a Jew and as an American, for which I am eternally grateful. Without Be’er Hagolah, I probably would have ended up in a public school. Perhaps, I would have ended up with a career but with no Jewish life – which to me is a life without reaching your full potential.
BJL - What are your thoughts on BHI today
YM - Back then, Be’er Hagolah was a vision – an initiative with great aspirations. We were given quality Jewish and secular education by loving educators and we felt that our teachers believed in us. That pushed us to reach even higher beyond our presumed abilities.
Today Be’er Hagolah is a remarkable success story with proven results. Be’er Hagolah’s mission remains the same. This mission is perhaps even more critical today, when the Jewish people are struggling to determine their identity. Hashem has blessed me with a beautiful family, a stable career and a closeness to my Jewish tradition and I cannot thank BHI enough for the faith they placed in us
BJL - Tell us about the Alumni Patrons Circle
YM - When I was asked by Rabbi Mordechai German to assume responsibility as Chairman of the men’s division of the Alumni Patrons Circle I had no choice but to agree. After discussing it with my wife, we agreed that we had to do everything we can to give back to Be’er Hagolah and to offer today’s young boys and girls the same educational opportunities we were given by others when we were young. The first thing we did was to organize an event where the alumni can come back to BHI and reconnect with their school, their teachers and their friends.
BJL - I understand the event was very successful
YM - Yes! It was an incredibly uplifting event and I am so happy we had it. All of us Be’er Hagolah alumni are bound together as one family and we felt that closeness in the air. We had well over 200 alumni in attendance as many people brought along their spouses! When we started to organize this event we really weren’t sure what to expect being that it had never been done before. The great turnout is truly a testament to the love that the Be’er Hagolah alumni have for their alma mater Be’er Hagolah.
BJL - What is in your future plans
YM - At the event, we announced the formation of the Rabbi and Rebbetzin Avner and Leya German Educational Fund. While we recognize that the primary responsibility for providing the resources for an education belongs to the parents, BHI’s board of directors work strenuously to provide financial assistance to eligible pupils. Considering the high class education provided at BHI, a lot of investment goes in to covering BHI’s almost five million dollar budget. We felt that the alumni can each do their own small part in contributing funds that will be earmarked to match the investment the parents make in their children’s education. We all want to give future generations of students the very same opportunities we enjoyed. My wife and I are happy to do the best we can and I call on all fellow alumni to do the same.
BJL - Have you received any feedback so far?
YM - Yes! At the event a few of my friends and even some alumni that I didn’t know came up to me and expressed their interest in helping this cause. This meant a lot to me.
My inspiration really stems from the realization that I have been on the receiving end of charity for so many years. Having been in the middle of charitable giving for the past decade with the Jewish Communal Fund and being involved in a synagogue for the past few years really opened me up to the joy of giving.
Be’er Hagolah Alumni Reunion - Interview with Alumni Patrons Circle Chairman, Yitzhak Musayev
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