Archive of the Bukhari Families of Jerusalem - Hundreds of Documents and Autographs - Palestine, 1931-1948

Large archive that contains more than 250 manuscripts of letters and documents by the members of the Bukhari community, who had immigrated to Israel before the establishment of the State and settled in Shechunat Ha'Bukharim of Jerusalem. Long letters. The letters are mainly a correspondence between the members of the Bukhari families of Jerusalem and their relatives abroad about business and DivreiTorah.

The documents have not been explored and are sold as is! An examination of the archive will undoubtedly contribute to the study of the impressive history of Shecunat Ha'Bukharim and its residents and the study of the important Bukhari families, which were residents of the neighborhood.

The letters are handwritten in the Bukhari language. Many of them are written on both sides of the leaf in dense handwriting. Single letters are in English or Arabic. Several letters are titled: "Le'Shana Tova Tikatevu Ve'Techatemu". Some of the letters, most likely from Bukhari Jews abroad, are titled "Sha'alu Shelom Yerushalayim".

One letter indicates the important business relations of the Bukhari community: a letter by Mr. Niyazov of London, the owner of a leather store, to Mr. Baruch Mordov of Shechunat Ha'Bukharim, Jerusalem, Palestine, with details about the selling and buying of leather.

Among the writers of the letters, we can find the following names: Mashiach Cohen, Simcha Cohen, Moshe Cohen, Shmuel Cohen, Avraham Cohen, Baruch Cohen and letters of the following families: Metatov, Chakimyan, Moradov, Aminov, Babayov, Niazov, Avrahamov and Saidov.

Among others, a letter by the rabbi of Shechunat Ha'Bukharim, Rabbi Aryeh Chaimov, a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Yadid Ha'Levi. A member of Beit Din of Jerusalem together with Rabbi Tzeddaka Chuchin and Rabbi Shalom Azulai. Served as the rabbi of the Bukhari community of Jerusalem for many years.

Signatures of Mashiach Reubinof, Rabbi Binyamin levi, Rabbi Shimon Baruch. Two letters by Rabbi Menachem Moshe to Rabbi Yosef Adhan of Tiberius. One letter refers to Rabbi Mantzur Sethon.

The Jews of Bukhara immigrated to Israel in several stages. In 1927, under the influence of the Shadar Rabbi Yosef Maman, Jews from Bukhara started to immigrate to Israel. Since then, several Shadarim visited Bukhara such as Rabbi Raphael Ochana and Rabbi Ya'akov Meir (the future Rishon Le'Zion) who encouraged the Jews to immigrate to Israel. Masses of Bukharan Jews started to immigrate in the end of the 19th century. They settled in Jerusalem and in 1894 founded the impressive neighborhood of "Rechovot Ha'Bukharim".
Over time, the neighborhood lost its glamor and became neglected. Many of its original residents left it and its houses crumbled.
The Musayof synagogue was built by the leader of the community, Rabbi Shlomo Musayof and it was the first building that was built in the neighborhood. After it, impressive houses of rich and important families were built: "Beit Davidof", "Beit Musayof", "Beit Yehudayof Chefetz" and "Beit Simchayof".
Important rabbis were leaders of the community, among them Rabbi Yisef Yadid Ha'Levi (who immigrated from Aleppo), Rabbi Avraham Aminif, Rabbi Aryeh Chaimov and more.

A total of 289 documents.
Varying sizes. Most of the letters are written on an A4 leaf while others on an A3leaf.
Condition: the majority of the archive is in excellent condition. Single leaves are in Fair-Bad condition.