February 18, 2005/Adar 1 9 5765, Volume 57, No. 25
Bucharian synagogue dedicates building, TorahsThe Bucharian Jewish community will dedicate its synagogue and two Torahs in an all-day celebration on Sunday, Feb. 20.The Shaarei Tzion Ohel Bracha Phoenix Bucharian Community will hold a ceremony to finish the writing of two new Torah scrolls 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at the home of Rabbi Baruch Cohen, chief rabbi of the Phoenix Bucharian Jewish Community, a group of immigrants from the Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan. The ceremony will be followed by a processional with a chuppah to the new synagogue, on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Maryland Avenue in Phoenix. A festive banquet will be held at 7 p.m. at Monterra at Westworld, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. The celebrations will feature traditional Bucharian food, musicians and costumes and are both open to the community. Phoenix is home to the largest Bucharian Jewish population outside of New York City. The synagogue is being dedicated by a Bucharian-Israeli benefactor and the Torahs are being dedicated by Bucharian Jews from Vienna, Austria. All will be in attendance. Non-Russian speakers call Rabbi Zvi Holland, 602-433-0300, ext. 101. Russian speakers, call Rabbi Baruch Cohen, 602-348-7968. |
