Bukharan Jewish community thrives in NYC

This section of New York City, populated by a specific group of Jewish immigrants, is thriving. - - Donna Poisl

By GIL SHEFLER

Ties with Ashkenazi brethren sometimes strained; some residents fear assimilation.

FOREST HILLS, New York – In this quiet part of New York City dubbed Queensistan, no signs of economic woe were visible last week even as US job growth remained stagnant and unemployment remained high – on the contrary.

During a tour of the area, which is home to approximately 35,000 Bukharan Jews, several construction crews were hard at work putting the final touches on ostentatious mansions being built by members of the community.

“They’ve done in 20 years what it took other Jews at least 40 years,” said Zalman Zvulonov, the director of the local Ohr Avner Jewish School, whose students are predominantly of Bukharan origin. “My family arrived in Israel in the 1950s and we haven’t succeeded like this.”
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