Press Report of the February 25 Bukharian Chief Rabbinate Conference

On Sunday, February 25, the Chief Rabbi of the Bukharian Community, Harav Yitzchak Yisraeli, hosted an important discussion regarding pertinent community topics. The new office of the Chief Bukharian Rabbanut, located on 99-47 62nd Road (2nd floor), was visited by many of the community’s rabbanim, who came to join in the open dialogue. Three key points were addressed.

The first point raised the plight of the Sephardic community’s Kashrut standards. The halachot (laws) which pertain to Sephardic Jews regarding Kashrut in restaurants as well as grocery stores are different than those which apply to our Ashkenazi brothers. The Queens Sephardic community predominantly relies on the Ashkenazi standards and procedures for its food. However, now that the Sephardic community has considerably expanded, work needs to be done in tandem with our Ashkenazi brothers which will ensure that grocers and restaurants satisfy the Sephardic community’s Halachic requirements. From antiquity, Sephardic communities around the world followed the standards outlined in the Shulkhan Arukh regarding the preparation of meat, poultry, and other foods. The food we put in our mouths and in our children’s mouths has a strong impact on spiritual growth, and therefore is of paramount importance.

The second point drew attention to the great breach in proper Jewish education. A vast number of Bukharian boys and girls are unfortunately attending public elementary and high schools. This avoidable situation places these children in danger of losing their true, beautiful heritage. Furthermore, these children are generally exposed to false ideologies, false doctrines, and corrupt moral standards which undoubtedly impinge on their ability to build the much coveted Jewish home. This growing pull towards assimilation feeds on the souls of these innocent young boys and girls, and leaves them spiritually deficient and morally confused. The community must not remain indifferent to hidden voices of muted souls. The future of the entire Jewish nation is very much rooted in child education, and what grows healthily maintains a basis for further growth. Today, the Chazaq organization is doing much to relocate these children into Jewish schools with the cooperation of wide-ranging Jewish groups throughout the tri-state area. Unfortunately, their effort alone is not enough. This problem can only be fully solved with a partnership of community leaders.

The third point brought to the attention of those gathered is the current and very real lack of adequate supervision in a vast number of marriage ceremonies. There is a palpable lack of structure in the matter of yichus and marital status of the bride and groom. Left unchecked, both issues exacerbate existing issues in taharat hamishpakha, and also generate new halachically-problematic marriages. This problem is especially severe because it potentially renders the Jewish family inoperable. Again, this concern can only be adequately addressed with the full compliance and cooperation of the rabbinical members of the community.

The talking points were well received, and many of the rabbiss gathered weighed in on various points, offering their insight and personal experiences. The Rabbinate presented tailored methods to deal with each of the above concerns and their implementation.

The Rabbinate holds a monthly open dialogue with the community’s rabbis. If there are specific topics or concerns you would like to bring to the attention of the Rabbanut, please email the Rabbanut at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.