New synagogue under construction in Samarkand (video)

Reports have emerged that construction of a synagogue has begun in Samarkand. Videos accompanying the news show that diamond magnate Lev Leviev, originally from Samarkand, personally came to mark the start of the project. Leviev moved with his family from Uzbekistan to Israel at the age of 15 and later continued his business activities in London. It is reported that Burkhan Usmanov (father of Alisher Usmanov), who was serving as the Tashkent city prosecutor at the time, assisted Leviev in relocating to Israel.

QALAMPIR.UZ contacted the regional administration to clarify the situation. Officials stated that the old synagogue building was in a state of disrepair and posed a danger to people’s lives, which is why it was demolished and replaced with a new structure.

The synagogue in Samarkand is not considered a historic monument with centuries-old heritage. All necessary permits for its reconstruction have been obtained. The new synagogue is planned to include a museum, a special water pool (mikveh) for ritual purification in Judaism, and classrooms. The cornerstone has recently been laid, and the building is scheduled to open next year.

It is worth noting that earlier, Israelis in Uzbekistan were asked not to display Jewish symbols in public spaces.