Bukhara Synagogue
Bukhara Synagogue
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
83 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
27
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
0
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dsboxer
New Delhi, India20 contributions
May 2024 • Family
First I went on the tour of the Jewish museum (25K som/person) and then I was fortunate enough to be taken to the synagogue by the tour guide museum, which coincidently happened to be open around 1500 on Friday.
The synagogue is modest and dignified and it was inspiring to see Muslims and Jews praising each other’s support for their respective communities.
There was only a little bit of English in the synagogue - most is in Hebrew, Russian, or Uzbek - so it’s helpful to read about Bukharan Jews before arriving in you are not a Russophone.
The synagogue is modest and dignified and it was inspiring to see Muslims and Jews praising each other’s support for their respective communities.
There was only a little bit of English in the synagogue - most is in Hebrew, Russian, or Uzbek - so it’s helpful to read about Bukharan Jews before arriving in you are not a Russophone.
Written May 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Igor Alexeev
Moscow, Russia134,000 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The Bukhara synagogue (an architectural monument of the 16th century) and the Bukhara Jewish ancient house (XVII-XVIII centuries) form a single architectural ensemble located in the Old City. The synagogue was closed, but the house was open. Entrance to the museum part of the house is paid, to the store - of course, free...
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy D
Los Angeles, CA1,623 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Sadly I was not feeling good when we arrived at his synagogue which is a short walk from the central most touristed sections of Bukhara. There was staff to welcome us and show us the two room . It was interesting for me to see this. Unfortunately I had to leave before getting a complete education on the place.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
becklambert
Brighton157 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Interesting history and with the use of google translate we understood the history of the synagogue and the history. Very welcoming,
Written March 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mamed Askerov
Tashkent, Uzbekistan576 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
This is one of the two synagogues in Bukhara. It's a well-maintained place with good caretakers. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the Jewish community of Uzbekistan had to leave the country mainly for economic reasons. However, those who stayed make sure the synagogue(s) and the cemetery are in good condition and being taken care of. Some of the Torahs they have are approximately 2,000 years old.
In 2000, Secretary Madeleine Albright visited this synagogue and, according to Rabbi Aaron Siyanov who she talked to, she promised to tell her Middle Eastern counterparts of peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Jews in one community as exemplified by the synagogue and a mosque located in one neighborhood.
In 2000, Secretary Madeleine Albright visited this synagogue and, according to Rabbi Aaron Siyanov who she talked to, she promised to tell her Middle Eastern counterparts of peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Jews in one community as exemplified by the synagogue and a mosque located in one neighborhood.
Written October 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
7,580 contributions
Jul 2019
The Synagogue is located at 20 Saraffon Street. It is one of only two synagogues remaining in Bukhara. It is an easy five minute stroll south of Lyabi hauz. There are a few directional signs on the way. The ancient wooden white doors are on the right, and a blue and white sign is above the door. A gold plaque is on either side of the door stating that the 16th century building is under state protection. It is free to enter but donations are accepted. As you enter, the traditional gold candelabra and Star of David are seen. We were the only visitors, so took a few photos and departed.
Another synagogue is a 20 minute walk away on Nomozgokh Street, but will not be as easy to locate. In the 1920's over 10% of the Bukhara population were Jewish and 13 synagogues existed. Most of the Jews left when visa restrictions were made easier in the 1970's and many more left at the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990's. There are a few families remaining in the city and it is reported that the synagogue sometimes struggles to have a minyan (quorum). The first synagogue was built in the 17th century, and the Jewish community endured through the trying times of the Emirs and then Soviet rule.
We had visited the Jewish cemetery on Ibrokhim Muminov Street earlier in the day. This synagogue is a unique part of the history of Bukhara and a recommended sight to visit. Other nearby attractions include the Puppet museum, Nasreddin monument and Toqi Sarrofon Bazaar.
Another synagogue is a 20 minute walk away on Nomozgokh Street, but will not be as easy to locate. In the 1920's over 10% of the Bukhara population were Jewish and 13 synagogues existed. Most of the Jews left when visa restrictions were made easier in the 1970's and many more left at the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990's. There are a few families remaining in the city and it is reported that the synagogue sometimes struggles to have a minyan (quorum). The first synagogue was built in the 17th century, and the Jewish community endured through the trying times of the Emirs and then Soviet rule.
We had visited the Jewish cemetery on Ibrokhim Muminov Street earlier in the day. This synagogue is a unique part of the history of Bukhara and a recommended sight to visit. Other nearby attractions include the Puppet museum, Nasreddin monument and Toqi Sarrofon Bazaar.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregsf11
San Francisco, CA849 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
It seemed pretty quiet and empty when I stepped inside to take a look. I put a couple of bills into the donation box, then suddenly a door opens up, and I was greeted by the president of Bukhara's Jewish community himself.
He gave me a tour of the place including their prized ancient torah and photographs of all the dignitaries who've paid their respects (note the photo of Hillary Clinton), as well as a passionate history of the Synagogue and the Jewish community of Bukhara... mostly about how terrible things were under the Communism and how wonderful things are now.
But FWIW, much of his congregation has voted with their feet. By his own account, there were 23,000 Jews in Bukhara at the time of independence, in spite of the fact that Jews were able to emigrate in the 1970s and 80s. Now, only 500 remain. So something like 98% of his people have decided that things are more wonderful... somewhere else. He was a very nice man, sincere and passionate about his subject. But truth in this country has changed many times. For those who choose to stay, it is probably to your benefit to believe whatever the truth is today.
He gave me a tour of the place including their prized ancient torah and photographs of all the dignitaries who've paid their respects (note the photo of Hillary Clinton), as well as a passionate history of the Synagogue and the Jewish community of Bukhara... mostly about how terrible things were under the Communism and how wonderful things are now.
But FWIW, much of his congregation has voted with their feet. By his own account, there were 23,000 Jews in Bukhara at the time of independence, in spite of the fact that Jews were able to emigrate in the 1970s and 80s. Now, only 500 remain. So something like 98% of his people have decided that things are more wonderful... somewhere else. He was a very nice man, sincere and passionate about his subject. But truth in this country has changed many times. For those who choose to stay, it is probably to your benefit to believe whatever the truth is today.
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula110
Oxford, UK197 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
The building itself is not that impressive but in my view, its what it represents that is important which is a mix of religions and its peoples co existing peacefully in Bukhara. Traditional style of Sephardi with copy of Torah behind a curtain which we were allowed to see. Jewish community here were originally merchants and settled in this part of town. Out guide had to translate the history of the Jews in Bukhara, as told to us by the rabbi. Very special place.
Written January 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NKhalid7
East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan148 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
The synagogue is located in old jewish street where less jews are left now. However jewish school is still there.As per the person who looks after the place, most of the jews left to Israel, Europe and USA. The synagogue is not big, however looks like many people visit it as a historical attraction. One old man looks after it. He said his name is uncle Yura. The place has main praying hall, front yard and praying room for everyday.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod F
Royal Wootton Bassett, UK2,051 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Visited May 2015. This is not easy to find, but is well worth the search. We rang the bell and waited, and thinking it closed, were about to leave when an elderly man opened a door behind us. He banged on the synagogue door and shouted, and suddenly a small girl appeared. It turned out that the girl is the rabbi's grand-daughter, and the elderly man is the rabbi! They showed into a typical Uzbek courtyard house with hundreds of photos and articles on the walls relating to Bukhara's Jewish community, of which only some 50 families now remain. The synagogue itself is a very plain building divided into a main area for the men, a lower partition for girls, and an upper gallery for the women. The young girl also showed us a pamphlet on the history of Bukhara's Jews. A fascinating place, and our thanks to the rabbi and his grand-daughter.
Written September 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you know what time they have shabbat services at the synagogue in Bukhara?
Written February 21, 2022
I’m
Not sure about Saturday but Sunday yes . The rabbi is present in the synagogue though every evening
Written May 16, 2019
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