Gala Dinner - Mega Success

On Monday evening, May 22nd, 2006, the New York Hilton was packed with over a thousand people who came to pay tribute to Lev Leviev and recipient of the Benefactor’s Award, Jacob Arabov.
Outside during the reception, Aron Aronov had displayed many Bukharian cultural artifacts and clothing which attracted much attention and interest. Inside the VIP lounge, Mayor Mike Bloomberg made his historic visit.
As the main event of the evening commenced, Lev Leviev and his wife Olga were warmly greeted inside the main dining hall. Mr. Isaac Katan, chairman, opened the evening with warmth. Next, former Mayor Ed Koch was introduced as the M.C. for the evening.
The guests were treated to a royal feast as a video of the Bukharian Jewish Community was playing. In the video, Boris Kandov, Alex Yakubov, Isaac Katan, Lili Katan, Jacob Arabov, Lev Leviev, and many others all spoke of the future of t h e Bukharian community and the current success that has been achieved.
The beautifully-built Center was shown and serves as a historic landmark for the Bukharian community in Queens. Also cited was the success of the Queens Gymnasia, which currently has approximately 800 students, serving the educational needs of the Bukharian community.
The people also got a glimpse of Beth Gavriel, as well Simcha Aliyshaev and Ilya Koptiev, who thanked the efforts of Leviev.
Koch proceeded to introduce Jacob Arabov, better known as, “Jacob the Jeweler.”
He is the jeweler of choice to the stars of Hollywood. In fact, many Rap artists include his name in their songs and himself in their videos.
Senator Karl Kruger and Councilwoman Melinda Katz also spoke a few words before presenting Jacob with the Benefactor’s Award. Jacob was honored to receive the award and was proud to be a part of the ongoing efforts to unite the Bukharian community.
Later, Koch introduced Lev Leviev to the podium. Leviev was greeted with a thunderous applause and silence filled the room as he began to speak. Lev Leviev gave a speech in English followed by his own words in Russian, in which he was more comfortable.
There was simultaneous translation on the large screens in the corners of the room as he spoke. His words penetrated the hearts of everyone as he proclaimed that every Jew in every corner of the world must help each other. He mentioned a verse from Ethics of the Fathers in which one who donates and encourages others to donate is the most righteous way to contribute.
He also told a story in which he wanted to build a Jewish Center in Baku which cost an astounding seven million dollars. The president of Baku asked why Jews from Baku were not involved. Leviev said he met with a few of the Jews from Baku who were prominent millionaires.
After being told that it was of no use, Lev Leviev said that he was promised one million dollars from them in a matter of two hours. Leviev said, “You see, everyone has good in them regardless of what people say.” The people applauded emotionally to these words. Leviev then stressed the value of Jewish education. He said it was the Jewish education that was passed down from generation to generation that ensured our survival of Jewish values. He said it was our obligation, as it was of our forefathers, to hand down and be responsible for our children’s Jewish education. He then said that in America, people work 20 hours a day, they work on Shabbat, and when asked why they work so hard, the answer is usually, to hand the money down to their children.
Leviev paused after his father wanted to give him money; he told his father to give it to charity.
He wanted to make his own claim in the world as a show of independence. He described fathers who left money for their sons and the children would either loose their inheritance or go crazy in the long run. Leviev said that everything in regard to making money is written down in our holy books. All the parents have to really leave the children is proper Jewish education to ensure their well being in every aspect. The people were very inspired by these words.
After the main course was served, artists began to sing. Benji sang his heart felt lyrics and musical group, Chai Five, filled the air. Soon afterwards, Rochelle Aminov and his Bukharian boys choir inspired the hearts of many. Also, first place winners in the Hanukah contest, sang in Hebrew and Russian. Lili Katan stated that a crowd of this magnitude for the first dinner was incredibly large. In fact, she wanted to thank the entire dinner committee and everyone else who worked so hard in such a s h o r t timespan.
This dinner serves as the foundation of m a n y more events to come.
— Courtesy The Bukharian Times