Thirty years ago, at the peak of his life, where beautiful plans and hopes were being developed, a wonderful person tragically left us at the young age of 44 years. A man gifted not only with his beautiful appearance but also with an inner charisma that attracted all who surrounded him.
On January 1, in one of the renowned restaurants in Queens, Troika, there was a yushvo, memorial service, held in memory of this precious gentleman, Mr. Gavriel Alishaev z”l.
The event was led by the main rabbi of the Bet Gavriel Center, Rabbi Emanuel Shimonov, and included the presence of Rabbi Ruben Ibragimov, Rabbi Yosef Akilov, and Daniel Pinkhasov among others.
After presentations from very close friends and acquaintances–David Shimonov, Mordechai Gavrielov, Albert Narkalayev, and his son Simha Alishayev–there was one very important thought that came to mind: Even though nothing is forever, there is one field where seeds that have been planted with good intentions can give endless good, for bettering situations and flourishing communities.
Particularly, this field was planted by Gavriel Alishayev, and his good deeds on this field have caused his descendants to carry his memory, immortal for decades and generations. His destiny was not simply shaped. He experienced all the hardships of his time, including many tragic and sad events. At the end, the precursor of the progress in religious observance of his entire tight-knit family, on the stage of social and financial difficulties with the burden of two immigrations, was all on the head of Gavriel Alishayev.
Could anyone have imagined that on such a happy occasion, on the night of January 4, 1988, while hosting his brothers from Israel, the clock struck the last minute in the life of Gavriel Alishayev, son of Amin-Aka and Frecho, husband of Mira, father of Shirin–who just became the mother of a firstborn son–and three of his sons, who were just taking their first steps in life, Simha, Yosef, and Uri? Could anyone imagine that while purchasing his first home in the United States of America–the traditional American dream to which everyone aspires–Gavriel Alishayev would not have a chance to pass through its doors? Having opened a successful business just prior, he did not have the opportunity to enjoy its fruits.
Would anyone have imagined that this G-d-fearing person, who was such a warm-hearted family man, a loving husband, and a cherished father, would never see the triumph of his sons, their weddings, nor his grandchildren and their ascent to the top of their success in their private lives, businesses, and social surroundings? Gavriel Alishayev would not be able to see the establishment of the center that bares his name, Bet Gavriel, which made his name immortal.
Could anyone have imagined that a happily-married woman, Mira Alishayev, would suddenly lose the center of her life? She would devote herself to raise and marry off her kids, help raise the grandchildren, and see the birth of her great-grandchildren. It has been a tough battle to fight for their success, and to uphold the unity and family values in such a complicated world.
Could anyone have imagined that three lads, Simha, Yosef, and Uri, having been left without a father in a tremendously large city, without connection and without serious money, could be left with such a hefty financial burden to take care of? With hurdles and obstacles, they figured out how to deal with partners and clients, worked through difficult situations, and found solutions to many complicated commercial situations, capturing the attention of many people.
The tragedy of the Alishayev family was that the passing of their father was so abrupt. Never knowing illness, never knowing the taste of medicine, at the peak of his life, at 44 years old with big plans for the future, the passing left the family and close ones in a state of shock. Mira, in complete and utter shock, was engulfed in spasms and unable to physically cry. Her internal spasms tightened her body to such a point that it was difficult to breathe. It was almost impossible to accept the reality of such a tragic event. There was only one wish: somewhere to hide, to run, to disappear; maybe this is not reality, maybe it is a bad dream, because in reality, this, that he died so young without any warning, could not possibly happen, it just cannot happen! But unfortunately it did.
Time possesses a very relevant positive ingredient in that it enables the ability to fade the pain of loss, but not to completely evade it. This loss is an everlasting, continuing aching pain that remains in the hearts of loved ones forever, energizing individuals to do something very important, brave, meaningful, and socially significant in order to perpetuate the memory of the loved departed. The sons of Gavriel, with the support of their mother Mira, their sister Shirin and her family, and the Koptiev brothers, solved the task of perpetuating the memory of their loved one.
These individuals laid the foundation of the synagogue as the cultural religious center called “Bet Gavriel.” This is the name of the two departed fathers, Gavriel Alishayev and Gavriel Koptiev, whose wives are Mira and Yaffa. These wives lost their husbands at a very young age, and took upon themselves this complex mission of upbringing and educating their children and making them into worthy people, having determined their path to happiness.
Today, this Center combined with a Yeshiva of more that 600 students from grades UPK to high school, has received worldwide recognition. The Center has a very holy and prestigious image among people–not only of the United States of America but the world at large. Not too far in the future, the doors of a new, even more impressive Bet Gavriel Center will open, an effort undertaken by the entire community. The building will not only house several minyanim, a high school, and a catering hall, but will also have a very large, comfortable, modern mikvah that will be equipped with the most updated technology and designed for access to individuals with disabilities. This long-awaited mikvah will be opened this coming year.
The target of it all is one: to uplift the Jewish family and their children, their spiritual health, their ability to combat modern society and its challenges, and to unite the Bukharian communities of the United States of America and beyond. This is the goal of the “Bet Gavriel Center,” named after Gavriel Ben Frecho Alishayev, to make his memory immortal.
Gavriel Alishayev: A Legacy That Lives Forever Through The Beth Gavriel Center
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