April 23, 1999/7 Iyar 5759, Vol. 51, No. 30
A year to grow onHome-based Bucharian Russian Orthodox synagogue set for move into bigger quartersLOU HIRSH
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 Members of the Davrayev family don traditional Bucharian holiday garb during recent Passover celebrations. At left are synagogue founders Boruchay and Raya Davrayev. At center are Boruchay's parents, Moshaich and Sara, and at right is Boruchay and Raya's son, Rafael. |
Due to steady growth and increased interest, the Valley's only Russian Orthodox congregation will soon conduct services in a new facility. The congregation has purchased a mobile classroom building, currently situated on the grounds of the former Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center at Maryland and 19th avenues. The building will be placed on property owned by synagogue founders Raya and Boruchay Davrayev, who have been hosting services for the past year in their Phoenix home.
The congregation is in the process of getting city approvals to place the portable structure behind the Davrayev home at 2609 W. McLellan Blvd., and to do electrical work, plumbing and refurbishing. A garage on the Davrayevs' property was razed to make room for the building; a concrete foundation is being poured; and a parking lot will eventually be added.
The 2,000-square-foot building is expected to be transported to the Davrayevs' property by the end of April. Once renovation work is completed in about two months, the congregation will have room to continue the level of growth it has seen in the past year, say the Davrayevs, who came to the United States from Russia about 15 years ago and have lived in the Valley for three years.
"We are very happy to be growing. Now we just have to put in the new building," says Raya Davrayev, who looks forward to holding a community open house when the move is complete. "This is a big project for us."
The congregation, which served about 20 members when it opened its doors April 26, 1998, now serves 30 to 35 members, who attend Friday and Saturday services on a regular basis. Participation increases on holidays. For its recent Passover celebrations, says Raya, the congregation hosted seven Russian immigrant families from New York, several of whom plan to move to the Valley, as well as 11 new families from around Arizona.
The new structure, which can accommodate 200 people, will include permanent seating and house the congregation's Torah ark, religious supplies and classrooms. Once the remodeling is completed, the congregation hopes to raise funds to hire a permanent rabbi. Currently, services are being led on a part-time basis by teachers Michael Maxumov and Yakov Abramov, recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
Boruchay Davrayev, an accomplished folk musician (he plays the tor, a stringed instrument similar to a guitar) and artist in his native Russia, lends his vocal skills to the congregation as its cantor. Raya Davrayev says she hopes the congregation's growth, along with help on the leadership side, will eventually allow the members of her family to better balance their busy lives.
"With our family and business responsibilities, running a synagogue is very hard work, but we are glad to do it," she says. The Davrayevs, who have five children ranging in age from 14 to 26, own and operate a grocery market in Northwest Phoenix.
Those wishing to donate to help with the synagogue's expansion project and future operational needs can write to 2609 W. McLellan Blvd., Phoenix 85017; or call the Davrayevs at (602) 864-2459 or (602) 331-4821.
The synagogue's expansion comes as plans also are underway in the Valley for a Russian community center. Organizers of that project are not associated with the Davrayevs' synagogue, and the two groups so far have not worked together, citing differences in service and program priorities.