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Bukharan Jews are primarily an Ashkenazi Jewish subgroup from Eastern Europe.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bukharan Jews are defined as a Mizrahi Jewish subgroup from Central Asia, not Ashkenazi from Eastern Europe.
Bukharian Jews traditionally spoke Bukharian, a Judeo-Persian language similar to Tajiki and Dari.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bukharian (Judeo-Tajik) is indeed a Judeo-Persian language traditionally spoken by Bukharan Jews, sharing similarities with Tajiki and Dari.
The Bukharan Jewish community originally referred to themselves as 'Yahudi,' a term that was always used respectfully.
Answer: False
Explanation: The community originally referred to themselves as 'Bnei Israel.' While 'Yahudi' was a local term, 'Juhood' was considered pejorative, indicating it was not always used respectfully.
The term 'Bukharan' was coined by local Central Asian rulers in the 18th century to distinguish the Jewish community.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'Bukharan' was coined by European travelers around the 16th century, not by local Central Asian rulers in the 18th century.
During the Achaemenid Empire, Persian eventually became the dominant language for Jews in Central Asia and Iran.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source states that during the Achaemenid Empire, Persian eventually became the dominant language for Jews in Central Asia and Iran.
What is the primary definition of Bukharan Jews?
Answer: A Mizrahi Jewish subgroup from Central Asia.
Explanation: Bukharan Jews are defined as a Mizrahi Jewish subgroup from Central Asia.
Which country hosts the largest community of Bukharan Jews, with approximately 160,000 individuals?
Answer: Israel
Explanation: Israel hosts the largest community of Bukharan Jews, with approximately 160,000 individuals.
What was the traditional language spoken by Bukharan Jews, which is a Judeo-Persian language?
Answer: Bukharian (Judeo-Tajik)
Explanation: Bukharian (Judeo-Tajik) is the traditional Judeo-Persian language spoken by Bukharan Jews.
Which of the following groups is NOT considered related to Bukharan Jews according to the provided text?
Answer: Ethiopian Jews
Explanation: The text lists Iranian, Iraqi, Georgian, Afghan, Mountain, Kurdish, Mizrahi, and Soviet Jews as related, but not Ethiopian Jews.
What was the original name the Bukharan Jewish community used to refer to themselves?
Answer: Bnei Israel
Explanation: The Bukharan Jewish community originally referred to themselves as 'Bnei Israel'.
Who coined the term 'Bukharan' to refer to this Jewish community?
Answer: European travelers
Explanation: The term 'Bukharan' was coined by European travelers in Central Asia around the 16th century.
By the 19th century, what language had Bukharan Jews developed for internal communication, enriched with Hebrew and Aramaic elements?
Answer: Bukharian or Bukhori
Explanation: By the 19th century, Bukharan Jews had developed their Judeo-Persian language, 'Bukharian' or 'Bukhori,' for internal communication, enriched with Hebrew and Aramaic elements.
Modern scholarship confirms the legendary origin story of Bukharan Jews as exiles from the tribes of Naphtali and Issachar during the Assyrian captivity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Modern scholarship associates this legendary origin story with European myths about the 'Ten Lost Tribes,' suggesting it is not historically accurate.
Historians trace the establishment of Bukharan Jews in Central Asia to the period following the Mongol invasions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historians trace their establishment to the period following Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylonia, much earlier than the Mongol invasions.
The earliest primary written account of Jews in Central Asia dates to the early 4th century CE, recalled in the Talmud.
Answer: True
Explanation: The earliest primary written account of Jews in Central Asia is indeed recalled in the Talmud from the early 4th century CE.
Benjamin of Tudela reported a small, struggling Jewish community in Samarkand during the 12th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Benjamin of Tudela reported a large Jewish community in Samarkand, with approximately 50,000 'Israelites,' many described as 'very wise and rich men,' not a small, struggling one.
Under Tamerlane's rule, Jewish weavers and dyers played a significant role in rebuilding Central Asia and became dominant in the region's textile and dye industries.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jewish weavers and dyers indeed played a significant role under Tamerlane and became dominant in the textile and dye industries.
How does modern scholarship view the legendary origin story of Bukharan Jews being exiles from the tribes of Naphtali and Issachar?
Answer: As a narrative associated with European myths about the 'Ten Lost Tribes,' not historically accurate.
Explanation: Modern scholarship associates this narrative with European myths about the 'Ten Lost Tribes,' suggesting it is not historically accurate.
What is considered the earliest primary written account of Jews in Central Asia?
Answer: An account in the Talmud from the early 4th century CE.
Explanation: The earliest primary written account of Jews in Central Asia dates to the early 4th century CE, recalled in the Talmud.
What industry did Jewish communities become dominant in under Tamerlane's rule in the Timurid Empire?
Answer: Textile and dye industries
Explanation: Under Tamerlane's rule, Jewish weavers and dyers became dominant in the region's textile and dye industries.
The adoption of Sunni Islam by the Safavid dynasty in Iran in the early 16th century led to the splintering of Judeo-Persian communities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Safavid dynasty adopted Shia Islam, not Sunni Islam, which contrasted with Central Asia's Sunni allegiance and led to the splintering of communities.
Bukharan Jews frequently migrated to Central Asia to escape economic opportunities in Iran and Afghanistan.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jews migrated to seek economic opportunities or escape persecution, not to escape economic opportunities.
Under Sunni Muslim rule in the Khanate of Bukhara, Bukharan Jews were forbidden to ride horses and donkeys.
Answer: True
Explanation: As part of Dhimmi status, Bukharan Jews were indeed forbidden to ride horses and donkeys.
The term 'Chalas' referred to Bukharan Jews who voluntarily converted to Islam during the 18th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'Chalas' referred to those who were forcibly converted to Islam, not voluntarily.
Rabbi Yosef Maimon, a Sephardic kabbalist, advocated for the adoption of Ashkenazi traditions among Bukharan Jews.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rabbi Yosef Maimon advocated for the adoption of Sephardic traditions, not Ashkenazi traditions.
Rabbi Shimon Hakham primarily focused on establishing new synagogues in Bukhara rather than translating religious texts.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rabbi Shimon Hakham undertook the crucial task of translating religious books into Bukhori, recognizing the community's limited access to Hebrew texts, in addition to establishing a yeshiva.
Bukharan Jews experienced largely favorable treatment under Tsarist Russia, unlike Jews in Eastern Europe.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bukharan Jews indeed experienced largely favorable treatment under Tsarist Russia, contrasting with the treatment of Jews in Eastern Europe.
The 'Golden Age' for Bukharan Jews (1876-1916) was characterized by increased restrictions on their autonomy and economic opportunities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Golden Age' was characterized by equal rights, increased autonomy, and prosperity, not increased restrictions.
The Bukharan Quarter in Jerusalem was known for its narrow streets and modest, uniform housing.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bukharan Quarter was designed with wide streets and spacious mansions, featuring diverse architectural styles, not narrow streets and modest housing.
The decline of the Bukharan Quarter after World War I was primarily due to a lack of interest from new immigrants.
Answer: False
Explanation: The decline was primarily due to the cessation of income from foreign trade following World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution, not a lack of interest from new immigrants.
What caused the initial splintering of Judeo-Persian communities into separate groups like Bukharan Jews in the early 16th century?
Answer: The Safavid dynasty's adoption of Shia Islam in Iran.
Explanation: The Safavid dynasty's adoption of Shia Islam in Iran, contrasting with Central Asia's Sunni allegiance, severed ties and led to the splintering of communities.
Which of the following was NOT a factor leading to migrations of Jews between Iran, Central Asia, and Afghanistan over the centuries?
Answer: Mandatory resettlement by the Ottoman Empire.
Explanation: The text lists escaping political turmoil, persecution, or seeking economic opportunities as factors, but not mandatory resettlement by the Ottoman Empire.
How did Bukharan Jews primarily achieve financial success despite discriminatory practices under Sunni Muslim rule in the Khanate of Bukhara?
Answer: As merchants, establishing lucrative trade businesses.
Explanation: Bukharan Jews achieved financial success primarily as merchants, establishing lucrative trade businesses.
What was the term for Bukharan Jews who were forcibly converted to Islam during the 18th century, reflecting their ambiguous status?
Answer: Chalas
Explanation: Those who were forcibly converted were known as 'Chalas,' meaning 'neither this nor that,' reflecting their ambiguous status.
Who was the Sephardic kabbalist who traveled to Bukhara in 1793 and advocated for the adoption of Sephardic traditions among the local Jewish population?
Answer: Rabbi Yosef Maimon
Explanation: Rabbi Yosef Maimon was the Sephardic kabbalist who traveled to Bukhara in 1793 and advocated for Sephardic traditions.
How did Tsarist Russia's rule generally differ for Bukharan Jews compared to Jews in Eastern Europe?
Answer: Bukharan Jews experienced largely favorable treatment.
Explanation: Bukharan Jews experienced largely favorable treatment under Tsarist Russia, unlike Jews in Eastern Europe.
What motivated Bukharan Jews to begin immigrating to Ottoman Palestine starting in 1872?
Answer: Religious convictions and a desire to return to their ancestral homeland.
Explanation: Bukharan Jews were motivated by religious convictions and a desire to return to their ancestral homeland.
Which of the following was a prominent organizer of the Bukharan Quarter (Sh'hunat HaBucharim) in Jerusalem?
Answer: Rabbi Shlomo Moussaieff
Explanation: Rabbi Shimon Hakham and Rabbi Shlomo Moussaieff were prominent organizers of the Bukharan Quarter.
Who played a significant role in the revitalization efforts of the Bukharan Quarter in Jerusalem, establishing a special fund for its improvement?
Answer: Rabbi Bernard M. Casper
Explanation: Rabbi Bernard M. Casper established a special fund for the improvement of the Bukharan Quarter.
Soviet Russification policies aimed to preserve the widespread use of Bukharian and Hebrew among Bukharan Jews.
Answer: False
Explanation: Soviet Russification policies aimed to establish Russian as the lingua franca and restricted religious information, leading to a decline in Bukharian and Hebrew, not their preservation.
The Soviet capture of Bukhara led to the expansion of Jewish religious institutions in the region.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Soviet capture led to the destruction or closure of synagogues, which were replaced by Soviet institutions, not their expansion.
The 'Black Years of Soviet Jewry' saw a relaxation of restrictions on Jewish religious practices after World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Black Years' began in 1950 with the renewed suppression of Jewish religion, not a relaxation of restrictions.
During World War II, intermarriage between Bukharan and Ashkenazi Jews in Central Asia was common due to shared hardships.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite shared hardships, intermarriage between Bukharan and Ashkenazi Jews was rare, and the groups largely remained separate.
The mass migration of Bukharan Jews after 1991 was primarily driven by new economic opportunities in Central Asia.
Answer: False
Explanation: The mass migration was driven by economic instability, fears of nationalism, and Islamic fundamentalism, not new economic opportunities.
How did Soviet policies primarily impact the cultural and national identity of Bukharan Jews?
Answer: They led to forced assimilation into larger Soviet Uzbek or Soviet Tajik national identities.
Explanation: Soviet policies led to forced assimilation into larger Soviet Uzbek or Soviet Tajik national identities.
What was a dual impact of the creation of Israel and the Six-Day War on Bukharan Jews in the Soviet Union?
Answer: Intensified antisemitism and a rise in Jewish patriotism.
Explanation: The creation of Israel and the Six-Day War intensified antisemitism while also leading to a rise in Jewish patriotism.
What was the nature of the relationship between Bukharan Jewry and the Chabad-Lubavitch movement?
Answer: They maintained good relations, with Chabad emissaries providing support.
Explanation: Bukharan Jewry maintained good relations with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, with emissaries providing support.
The largest community of Bukharan Jews outside of Central Asia resides in the United States, specifically in Los Angeles.
Answer: False
Explanation: The largest community of Bukharan Jews outside of Central Asia is in Israel, and in the United States, the largest concentration is in the New York metropolitan area, particularly Forest Hills, Queens, not Los Angeles.
As of the 2010 census, Tajikistan had a thriving Bukharan Jewish community of several hundred individuals.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of the 2010 census, only 36 Jews remained in Tajikistan, with only two identified as Bukharan Jews, indicating a significant decline, not a thriving community.
In 1935, Afghan Jews were granted new freedoms, including the right for women to enter markets and for men to ride horses.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1935, 'ghetto rules' were imposed, which prohibited Jewish women from entering markets and banned Jews from riding horses, indicating restrictions, not new freedoms.
What happened to the Dushanbe Synagogue in Tajikistan in the early 2000s?
Answer: It was demolished by the government to make way for a new palace.
Explanation: The Dushanbe Synagogue was demolished by the government to make way for the new Palace of Nations.
How are Jews who lived in Afghanistan sometimes identified in relation to Bukharan Jews?
Answer: They are sometimes considered to be the same as Bukharan Jews.
Explanation: Jews who lived in Afghanistan are sometimes considered to be the same as Bukharan Jews, though some prefer to identify solely as 'Afghan Jews'.
Who was Zablon Simintov, and what is his significance in the history of Jews in Afghanistan?
Answer: The last remaining Jew in Afghanistan, whose evacuation marked the end of the Jewish presence.
Explanation: Zablon Simintov was the last remaining Jew in Afghanistan, and his evacuation marked the official end of the Jewish presence.
Where is the largest population of Bukharan Jews in the United States primarily located?
Answer: Forest Hills, Queens, New York City
Explanation: The largest population of Bukharan Jews in the United States resides in New York City, particularly in Forest Hills, Queens.
Osh palov is a Bukharan Jewish pilaf traditionally prepared without any meat.
Answer: False
Explanation: Osh palov uniquely incorporates both beef and chicken, not prepared without meat.
What is the unique musical tradition of Bukharan Jews, characterized by an ensemble of stringed instruments and Central Asian rhythms?
Answer: Shashmaqam
Explanation: Shashmaqam is the unique musical tradition of Bukharan Jews, characterized by an ensemble of stringed instruments and Central Asian rhythms.
What is the cultural significance of the Kosh-Chinon ceremony in Bukharan Jewish weddings?
Answer: It signifies the bride's transition to womanhood by plucking facial hair.
Explanation: The Kosh-Chinon ceremony signifies the bride's transition to womanhood by plucking facial hair, a traditional practice before marriage.
How does Bukharan Jewish cuisine reflect their identity and dietary laws?
Answer: It strictly adheres to Kashrut, preserving their Jewish identity in the kitchen.
Explanation: Bukharan Jewish cuisine strictly adheres to Kashrut, which has preserved their Jewish identity in the kitchen.
Lev Leviev, a billionaire businessman, is a notable Bukharan Jew residing in the United States.
Answer: False
Explanation: Lev Leviev is listed as a notable Bukharan Jew residing in Israel, not the United States.
What does genetic analysis reveal about Bukharan Jews' ancestry in relation to their immediate local neighbors in Central Asia?
Answer: They are genetically distinct from their immediate local neighbors.
Explanation: Genetic analysis reveals that Bukharan Jews are genetically distinct from their immediate local neighbors in Central Asia.