This presentation explores the history, culture, and survival strategies of the Jewish communities of Central Asia, commonly known as Bukharan Jews. Using personal family archives and stories passed down through generations, it follows a journey that begins with exile after the destruction of Jerusalem, moves through the Silk Road cities of Central Asia, and continues into today's global diaspora.

The talk looks at how Jewish families in places such as Bukhara (Uzbekistan), Herat (Afghanistan), and Mashhad (Iran) built long-lasting trade, family, and community networks across borders while maintaining a distinct identity for more than two thousand years. Along the way, it touches on periods of upheaval, including forced conversions, changing empires, and Soviet repression, and examines how individuals adapted to survive while preserving their religious and cultural traditions.

More broadly, the presentation considers how identity and communal life can endure even without strong institutions or political protection. Through historical examples and personal stories, it reflects on resilience, mobility, and the role of family and shared values in sustaining continuity across generations and borders.

Dahlia Abraham-Klein is a writer on Central Asian Jewish history and Jewish values. Her articles have appeared in Tablet, Chabad.org, Jewish Journal, and The Times of Israel. She is a teacher at Partners in Torah, offering a personalized learning experience on the system of life through Jewish wisdom. Her books include Caravan of Hope: A Bukharan Woman's Journey to Freedom and Silk Road Vegetarian.