THE LAST JEWS OF THE SILK ROAD | Why are they all leaving?

The last Jews of the Silk Road. Why are they all leaving? 100's of years of history are about to come to an end in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. From a population of 1,000's, there are now only 2 practicing families left in Bukhara. Life is very difficult for the remaining Jewish community. Kosher food has to be ordered from Tashkent, and funding for the upkeep of the Synagogue has almost dried up. We met Lyuba who lives opposite and along side her husband, looks after the Synagogue in Bukhara. Lyuba was kind enough to show us around and help us understand what life is like for her and her family in modern-day Uzbekistan.
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[@daveedoo2975]

This was one of my favorite videos you've posted. I love knowing the history and background of an area. The interview provided such rich, yet sad state of the declining Jewish community in Bukhara. Truely moving. Thank you again.

[@MattandJulia]

You are so welcome! So glad you enjoyed it 🥰

[@TagMahirTzedek]

Not sad actually. Great because most of us are now in the Holy Land and others doing well (mostly) in Queens NY. Not under rule of islamic leaders and society

[@NathanAverboukh]

Its sad that the Soviet culture and government and now the Uzbeks didn't respect the community. Of course, it is better to not be under the Uzbek government, who is kind of questionable. But what would be best would be for the Uzbek government to have tried to prevent this. And as always, hello from Brooklyn.@@TagMahirTzedek

[@margaritasun7908]

My high admiration to the lady who preserves the synagouges , I can relate even if Im not Jew. Sad reality to any historic religious sites & cultures nowadays worldwide. Matt & Julua this is an emorional vlog you had for one like me who loves history & preservation .Thank You.

[@MattandJulia]

So happy you enjoyed it and found it interesting Margarita! It is a really sad story but glad we could tell it 🙏🏻❤️

[@rainwaterno1239]

@@MattandJulia please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

What a stunning country Uzbekistan is. The architecture was so beautiful along the Silk Road. So beautifully vlogged were the buildings. It's sad to hear that years of Jewish faith and culture is coming to an end in Bukhara. Thank you so much for bringing attention to it. It's a story that needed to be told. Thank you again Matt and Julia for taking us on this journey. Sending you lots of love💖💖 Harriet and Jim. Richmond, Va.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much guys! Really appreciate it! So glad you enjoyed it 😊❤️❤️❤️

[@nickthomas181]

Apart from everything this stunning country has to offer is the fact it's quiet which is what I'm used, to rather than a busy city. This was a very good vlog both insightful and respectful. Happy vibes coming down the track to you both!

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Nick! Glad you enjoyed it 😊❤️

[@AaronSpielman]

This is where the majority of my family emigrated to Europe from. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@almatymalayali5668]

From?

[@AaronSpielman]

@@almatymalayali5668 Bukhara and cities nearby.

[@rainwaterno1239]

@@AaronSpielman please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@fredbaritell3336]

Nice to hear from the local people. You should have that as a regular segment of your videos. This is a place I would have never seen. Thanks.

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it Fred 😊

[@velocita8842]

So sad to see the last remaining Jews preparing to leave...what a beautiful woman to share her feelings and the Synagogue with you.

[@MattandJulia]

She was really lovely, so honest and open 😊

[@rainwaterno1239]

Please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@kabardinka1]

A very moving interview... one of your best videos! And I'm glad Matt is finally wearing long pants.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much! 😊🙌 Haha, we ground him down 😁

[@rosalindaguerrero254]

@@MattandJulia Were y’all being followed by a government official? OMG .

[@rainwaterno1239]

@@rosalindaguerrero254 please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@esterherschkovich6499]

Oh yes..but they are very proud of their roots✡תודה for this.Shabbat Shalom💐💐Sadly over the years many beautiful Jewish communities have died out or moved away.What a beautiful Synagogue.

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it Stella ❤️

[@rainwaterno1239]

Please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@Jensie50]

Bukhara is so beautiful... absolutely stunning! Pity that it looks so deserted though, those empty streets. Sad about the disappearing Jewish community too, similar too what is happening to various other minority cultures in so many different countries.

[@MattandJulia]

Yeah side effect of Covid, people and businesses are really suffering 😔 For sure, such a sad situation! 😩❤️

[@newgabe09]

I was there last week. Many people visiting the old town/tourist areas again and it's just the beginning of the season. And of course in all these towns there is the more modern area where most people live that are doing fine :)

[@bethcoffman1289]

Very powerful interview. thank you for sharing it. The images are so beautiful!

[@MattandJulia]

You are so welcome Beth! ❤️

[@fromthethrone]

Great video, very educative, thank you!

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@anthonymcloughlin4205]

Fantastic video,so important we know about the history of the community Keep up the good work

[@craigmargerybertram4475]

Wonderful video !! Touching to hear the personal story of the Jewish community there and the struggles they face - good for you for sharing something we’d be unlikely to hear about elsewhere! Ps Julia, just realized that you seem so familiar because of the Great British Bake off!! You are living a brave / fearless life - I’m all admiration. God Bless!

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it guys 😊 And yeah, that was me! Thank you so much!! 😊❤️

[@janellek21]

Wow. Best video yet! So glad you got to experience and tell the story of the Bukharan Jewish community. The Jews' situation in Bukhara and Uzbekistan may be relatively safe for the time being, but Uzbekistan is a Muslim country and it does share a border with Afghanistan, so Islamic Fundamentalism is never far away. If the Taliban ever decided to invade Uzbekistan, or if Uzbekistan falls to an Islamic Fundamentalist government, then the Jews would become Target #1.

[@carole2952]

Fantastic videos, I love the bits of information you put in so enjoyable ❤️

[@MattandJulia]

So happy you enjoyed it Carole 😊

[@nixmor5333]

This was so enlightening and poignant. That a people can disappear from their native land so easily, it's truly scary. But Bukhara is quite a beautiful place. Wonderful video guys. Stay safe. 😉

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Nix! It really is, a few years and entire cultures can be wiped off out the map 😔

[@Deathwing2001]

I’ve been watching your videos since the summer but never commented until now. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your travels and your sense of humour with each other. Thanks for the great content 👍 😊

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate that! 😊 Glad you are along with us! ❤️

[@cherylsalinas1548]

So very sad that the Jewish community has had to leave. It’s such a beautiful place. Finally some posh riding accommodations. That train was awesome. Hope Julia is feeling better soon. Stay safe. ❤️

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Cheryl! I'm a lot better now 🥰 lots of love ❤️

[@asahisagoiboi3517]

They mostly migrated to Forest Hills Queens, New York or Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, NY. They are much happier in New York. I am an Ashkenazi Jew from Uzbekistan.

[@Sofiefay32]

This is very true, as a Bukharin myself.

[@katerinazervata]

WOW what a beautiful place . I feel so bad for the Jewish lady .what a history !!!! Keep up the good work 🙂

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Katerina! ❤️

[@mattcoyle5867]

Guys that was such an emotional and thought provoking time learning about the dwindling Jewish community in Bukhara...as Matt mentioned the history is disappearing before your eyes...so sad to see...beautifully edited Julia...made me pause for a few moments and reflect...thank you guys x

[@lunamaharuni]

Such a beautiful place. Thanks for this video. ❤️

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it Luna 😊

[@1andyou2]

Am israel Chai. Thank you for making this video. I really appreciate it 🙏. This was my childhood 30 years ago

[@joannmcgowan9394]

What an interesting incredible video. I really enjoy how you tell the story as it is. The interview was so good and so very sad, I am saddened that some of history will fade away. It’s also so hard to believe that the Jewish faith was treated so horribly. On a positive note I so appreciate your video❤️ thank you

[@njnikusha]

Im thrilled to say Jews were never discriminated or persecuted in Georgia for their religious beliefs nor any other religious minorities

[@JanoffVlogsEducationintheUSA]

It's really good, but I can't help but see the zionists becoming just like nazis, the people who killed so many of them. It's just so frustrating.

[@MBEG89]

Georgians are great people.

[@Mrjnventure]

This is incredible to see my hometown 💗🤩 love it thank you 😊

[@margandjimdietrich9598]

Really enjoying your travels, architecture so amazing and different to me, I live in New Zealand, our scenery is amazing but our history and culture is very young,.

[@MattandJulia]

So glad you enjoyed it guys 🥰

[@MariMorti]

Thank you for this very moving video ..

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@kristinaelisabetthomas3569]

I amazed how much Arabic influence in Russia, didn’t know that.

[@donovandavidsonAlton]

Thanks for the insight very moving and difficult for the other part of the world.UK

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much Donovan, glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@MegaTeeruk]

Love the interview. Being in the old Soviet Bloc countries have you considered interviewing people - especially older people -about what their lives were like under Communism? Aside from being fascinating I think those stories are incredibly valuable and need to be heard. Those people are living history and a warning. Love the video as always. I hate travel vlogs but love your channel because you manage to feel very genuine and seem like kind people. All the best on your journey.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Brandon 😊 really appreciate that, means the world! ❤️ Actually yes we have, you must have read our mind, we have a family member who has been alive since the Stalin era, we will speaking to in a couple of weeks (will probably be released in December) 😊🙏🏻

[@MegaTeeruk]

@@MattandJulia I look forward to that. My wife comes from a communist country (Laos) and while it was no where near as advanced as the USSR the stories are alarming. Very glad to see you capturing those for history.

[@familyadult4444]

@@MattandJulia Hi Guys, Thank💐 in advance!! Take care, Stay safe!!

[@rainwaterno1239]

@@MegaTeeruk please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@rusmoscow1971]

Another great and informative video

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much! 🙃

[@BR2225_]

Thank you for posting. I went on a date with a Jew from Uzbekistan last night thus the reason for finding this video.

[@MBEG89]

Im from this community but from Samarkand. Our community in central asia in ending but overall is doing great once we all left. Most of the people moved to Israel or the US.

[@JoeAction]

Thank you for sharing video.

[@MattandJulia]

You are welcome 😊

[@Karen-dk1ec]

I am surprised this video never came into my feed. I do want to thank-you both for making this video on the centuries-old Jewish community with such thoughtfulness and reflection. It is so sad that only 2 unassimilated families remain. What a beautiful, small gem of a synagogue. I think that woman is not foolish to stay, but noble and loyal to Jewish history and people; and a gift to God. I understand she wants to be with her children and grandchildren in Israel. Part of the meaning of your video is reminding people of Jewish history which has been and is being erased by certain political fractions in the West & East. Jewish history has been so distorted and deleted to where it's invisible. My great-grandfather from Imperial Russia was a "purveyor of fabrics," and I believe he traveled along the Silk Road. Many people in my family have slightly slanted eyes that are noticeable. I read that the Jews who settled along the Silk Road in Eurasia did have Asian DNA that is still present today. I would love to see this part of the World. I hope this synagogue becomes a museum supported by the govt when she leaves. It would be tragic for it to be destroyed or misused. Thank-you.

[@Gulfcamel]

Beautiful place

[@MattandJulia]

It is amazing! 😊

[@maryr8364]

So beautiful, but sadly deserted

[@MattandJulia]

Becuase of Covid unfortunately

[@schipovniza1]

Agree, incredible insight. Thank you.

[@MattandJulia]

You are welcome 😊

[@FlowersInThePot]

Was Julia on the Great British Bake off? I swear I recognise you from the show

[@fromthethrone]

Where did you learn to speak russian so good?

[@MattandJulia]

Julia is Russian, and I just learnt through Duolingo and constant speaking 😊

[@fromthethrone]

@@MattandJulia Great, I will try Duolingo, thank you

[@MattandJulia]

No worries 😊 I also watched a lot of Russian speaking KZbin channels, try - 'Anton Ptushkin' (the best Russian-speaking travel vlogger) & 'Orel i Reshka' (a Ukrainian travel TV show). Both have English subtitles too 🙌 hope this helps!

[@maggiepacific]

I'm 83 and I have been learning Russian via Duolingo for the past year or so... My mother tongue is English but I also speak French as I live in France. Never too old to learn! Love Russian and the Russian people. Love your videos and never miss one!

[@rainwaterno1239]

@@maggiepacific please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty

[@WifeMamaArtist]

So if it’s just been Yom Kippur, this was about 2 months ago!! Excellent article, many thanks xx

[@MattandJulia]

Certainly was 😊 glad you enjoyed it!

[@meldhardtabora237]

come to my county in philepines so bautefull cuonty ur video is amizing wow

[@abduhamidhoshimov4412]

Юля и Мэт, как вам нравится путешествовать? Мне очень нравится ваше видео, они уносят человека куда-то вдаль, особенно под эту музыку 👍👍👍 Как называется это музыка?

[@kathywolfe6606]

Very interesting.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you 😊

[@davidzevharris]

Thank you

[@TheWisemanFamily]

Very interesting ❤❤👍👍👍

[@halvardlund4782]

10:08 - 10:30 and 10:45-11:30 What is the name of this song, do you have a link? It had the same chords as «Dance me to the end of love» by Leonard Cohen!

[@MattandJulia]

They are both on a website called Epidemic Sound under 'Uzbek music' 😊

[@halvardlund4782]

@@MattandJulia Thanks. It is: Ali Sabah - ‘Ghaith’ :)

[@aimeecosson9473]

Wow, the beginning was really heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing that lovely ladies story. ❤️ I wish we had bullet trains in the USA!

[@MattandJulia]

🤗❤️❤️❤️ Wis we had them in the UK too! 😞

[@TagMahirTzedek]

You should and are welcome to visit the Bukharian Jewish communities in Israel and New York.

[@jqc5]

I love your videos

[@midwestlakelife]

Hope a Jewish philanthropist or charity can help to maintain this beautiful place with so much history. It's important to preserve it. It's important to make sure that Jewish history and the Jewish people who lived there are always remembered. I will pass this on to some of my high net worth contacts here in the USA.

[@radeongr9733]

Very sad to hear about the ill treatment of the lady in her childhood, also there are jews who want to settle in persia-eye-r@n but the Canadian, us and Israeli govt is blocking them and writing propaganda on state sponsored website and platform.

[@MattandJulia]

There are many really sad situations around the world, we hope to bring as many as we can to light 🙂

[@JanoffVlogsEducationintheUSA]

I'm just seeing Nazi Germany in the current government of Israel tbh. I'm not connecting to that to religion or people. It's probably powerful propaganda in there that makes people hate other arab countries. Look at Palestine. It's just genocide. I've seen some lovely Jewish/Israeli people who are actually against such stupid unjustified war, but there are so few of them.

[@AyaAya-fh2wx]

Children are children everywhere and happy to bully anyone who is different. I have lived in Uzbekistan and am also from an ethnic minority and never experienced systemic discrimination on the basis of ethnicity among adults.

[@barbarahorch7426]

The architecture is stunning. So sad about the Jews, but good that my country, USA, and Israel are places they can resettle in. 💘 from Phoenix, Arizona

[@MattandJulia]

Good that people have a place in the world for sure 😊

[@ravinmarokef]

There's a sizeable Bukharian community in Phoenix that I've interacted with a bit - I didn't realize the Phoenix community was larger than what was left in Bukhara though :( -Love from a fellow Jewish Arizonan

[@TagMahirTzedek]

@@ravinmarokef Climate is similar to Uzbekistan as well. Some moved to NY to Arizona specifically for this (+ other reasons as well)

[@7Subculture]

Hello from Israel:) Just curious - has she sold that place yet? How much does she want for it? I wouldn't want to see the government take it over and turn it into a museum. I strongly feel it should stay in Jewish hands.

[@duke9974]

Anather great one guys !

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Duke 🙃

[@saleem1113]

Please share the song of playback music, if anyone has knowledge.

[@MattandJulia]

It is on Epidemic Sound - search Uzbek music 🎶😊

[@saleem1113]

@@MattandJulia Thanks

[@lauraswihart4816]

Oh ,thanks so much! 💗 John 3:16 💗

[@fishook96]

When you asked if she spoke Burkhanian and she said no they speak Tajik, well Burkhanian is a Judeo-Tajik dialect and they probably don't even recognize that it's a unique and dying language!

[@dumbhead9721]

i was wondering abt this thank u !!!!

[@MBEG89]

Youre spot on, buharian is just tajik for this woman, shes technically not wrong.

[@martinedunkel566]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thirdrockjul2224]

❤

[@lucycarlos4923]

Not my kind of city, but very interesting.

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@user-re9tm1gq4e]

Hi matt and julia, i am a bukharian jew living in diaspora . i would love to connect with this woman . commenters , anyone . is there any resources out there to connect with bukharsky jews in NY . let me know . thanks

[@JONO5K1]

"Not long ago" - I would say 45 years is quite long ago actually, ha ha :D. Interesting vid though.

[@maggiepacific]

Depends on your age 😉

[@dilabdull]

under the Soviet Union the nation was divided, but now the people are different.

[@MattandJulia]

Really good to hear ✌🏻

[@yellowsugar5096]

I believe they are converted so that the silk and other business in that road would be controlled by Persian Jews . And today as you said they all left to Isra or US after Europe .

[@salomdiga]

желаю вам творческих узбеков

[@muhammadwaheed4067]

cpec Road and belt project touch silk gt Road safe and sound for all religion with big 0 discrimination .from Pakistan 🇵🇰 and China 🇨🇳 Project peace

[@briantravelman]

Is there a difference between Halal and Kosher? Because I've had Muslims tell me they can eat Kosher food, yet here this woman is saying that her son learned how to make Kosher food. I would imagine if Muslims can eat Kosher food, then Jews can eat Halal food.

[@zb3495]

Muslims can eat kosher because the Quran says they can. Kosher is a stricter standard, kosher doesn’t swap with any other food.

[@dilshodmovlon]

Shame on her! Her jewish community has been living and thriving in Bukhara for thousands of years, being able to preserve their jewish identity and now she is accusing local people of Bukhara oppressing jews..😵‍💫🤦

[@maryr8364]

Very sad they are all leaving

[@MattandJulia]

Feels like the end of an era of history

[@kittykatz3518]

@@manan007 No. The result of anti-semitism.

[@Life-wp9vq]

This video reminds me that I am a human being! I really love uzbek culture and very respected people. At the moment We can see that In Isreal there's a conflict between Muslims and Jewish. But In Uzbekistan I can see that They are living in peace not any conflict

[@TagMahirTzedek]

Ahh what? Jews left Uzbekistan and most of the Mooslim majority countries because of Islam and its views and discrimination towards Jews and non-Mooslims. In Israel the Mooslims are treated very well. All they are asked to do is not to murder and steal and even that many of them can't hold themselves back from.

[@lillianebwire4897]

This confirms that the Bible is a True account.The backstory is well listed in 2Kings 17

[@jasonpetersharpe]

God’s people. God’s! 💕 🇮🇱

[@kittykatz3518]

Am Y'Israel Chai

[@jasonpetersharpe]

@@kittykatz3518 💐

[@ZettaiKatsu2013]

No to Racism

[@ababeel388]

What about filistiniyan people, killing buy Israeli zoinst terrorist group 🙄

[@JanoffVlogsEducationintheUSA]

I hope you're not another zionist, practically a nazi for what you're doing in Palestine. You're doing what germans where doing in the wwii. Why can't the humans learn from history? No to racism. No to fascism. No to war!

[@American-Motors-Corporation]

I suggest they leave and I'll tell you why they're leaving cuz everyone's tired of the bullshit especially here in the USA!

[@razachalotravel1658]

One day maybe Palestinian Muslim become same😢

[@royjames1856]

So they go and steal Palestine 🇵🇸 land

[@elbeknabiyev2533]

How nice Jews are totally leaving

[@yacobfantaye4658]

You can'nt read

[@ikhtiyor]

Reality is it is not jews who were oppressed. Both Muslims and Catholics too only Provaslavs practiced their religion more easly but they were also badly forced to ignore any religion stuff if government asks.

[@anakacharava4159]

All religions were restricted in the Soviet Union, no religion was exempt. Communists also destroyed Orthodox churches. Divine services are not performed in the remaining churches. People were baptized secretly.

[@youtubeboy5700]

i am from uzbekistan. if i was jew i would blame muslims for their oppression even it is not exist for moving US or israel for money.

[@MyYanachka]

First of all, you clearly are not a Jew hence you speak this way. All former Soviet countries have oppressed Jews for years , so don’t say Jews “move for money”. Money does not grow on trees in those countries, and if Jews do choose to move due to oppression -please note they work extremely hard in those countries for a better life. As someone who has migrated with their family from a former Soviet country , for you to say this is absolutely appalling . Furthermore , there is a huge Bulgarian community in the US- and I know for a fact they moved due to oppression. Your statement is false and hateful.

[@MyYanachka]

Bukharian***

[@Azam-ry5ig]

@@MyYanachka What Oppression? Karimov 1st president of Uzbekistan was half Bukharian Jew. Another thing is that Soviet Union oppressed all religions.

[@es8945]

@@Azam-ry5ig no, Karimov was not half a Jew.....he was Uzbek...stop spreading lies

[@rainwaterno1239]

@@MyYanachka please follow the right path before it's too late.. please think with cool mind.. Hazrath isa a.s ( Jesus christ according to Christianity) and Hazrath Moosa a.s ( Moses as per Jews)are messengers of Allah swt the Almighty