The Plight Of Russian Jews

They come from the distant former Soviet republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to central Queens where they are becoming increasingly visible. Youll find their business establishments springing up along the thoroughfares of Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills and Rego Park, Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills and Lefferts Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
These recent arrivals are Bukharian Jews who escaped from Communism to join other immigrants who found freedom and opportunity in Queens.
According to Nahum Kaziev, director of the Educational Center for Russian Jewry, the Bukharian Jews face the same challenges as other immigrant groups as well as some that are unique.
"Professionals who arrive here from these Asian republics often have to find menial jobs," he said. "Thats the case with many physicians and lawyers."
Kaziev said these immigrants frequently dont understand the role of the police because they are accustomed to the former KGB who treated them poorly.
Many of the Bukharian Jews who speak the dialects in these regions have offered to translate for federal agencies such as the CIA because there is a shortage of these individials among these agencies.
The Educational Center operates an accelerated program that includes English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for 200 people; a feeding program for 480 families; and after school programs for 65 children. The center also publishes a monthly magazine in Russian for 80,000 readers in Queens and Brooklyn.
"We dont receive funding from the city," Kaziev said, "so we are not affected by the cutbacks in the city budget."
He said that the Bukharian Jews are "still fighting for their existence, trying to make ends meet and exhibit signs of depression."
Kaziev volunteers his time to the Bukharian organization. He is also a member of Community Board 6 and a vice president of the Queens Jewish Community Council.
For more information about the Educational Resource Center, call (718) 275-3318.