Foundation History
In December 2010, a group of former residents of Margilan—who had immigrated to Israel, the USA, Canada, Austria, and other countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union—came together with a shared goal: to preserve the memory and heritage of the Margilan Bukharian Jewish community.
The first meeting was held at the Khodji Koton Synagogue with the support of Rabbi Borukh Khodjaev. The atmosphere was warm and filled with a sense of responsibility: everyone understood how important it was to safeguard the history of their people and the memory of those buried in the Margilan Jewish Cemetery.
It was at that meeting that the idea was born to create an organization capable of systematically and professionally restoring this sacred place.
On December 18, 2010, the Margilan Charitable Foundation was officially established.
Foundation Mission
The Margilan Charitable Foundation was created with one essential purpose — to preserve, restore, and maintain the Margilan Jewish Cemetery, one of the most important historical sites of the Bukharian Jewish community.
Our mission includes:
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Restoration of old gravestones and monuments, many of which hold historical value.
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Renovation and maintenance of the landscape, pathways, boundaries, and general infrastructure.
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Protection of the site to prevent further deterioration.
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Creating conditions for regular maintenance, including seasonal cleaning and scheduled care.
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Preserving the memory of the Margilan Jewish community, many of whom emigrated after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Why This Matters
After the collapse of the USSR, most Bukharian Jews of Margilan emigrated to:
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Israel
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The United States
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Canada
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Austria
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and other countries
With the disappearance of the community, the cemetery was left without care or supervision, leading to the destruction of monuments and the degradation of the surrounding grounds.
The Margilan Foundation was created to:
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safeguard this sacred place,
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protect the memory of our ancestors,
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restore the cultural heritage of Margilan’s Jewish community.
Main Areas of Activity
1. Monument Restoration
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Repair of gravestones
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Strengthening old stone structures
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Cleaning and restoration of historically significant inscriptions
2. Care of the Territory
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Landscape improvement
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Clearing debris and overgrown vegetation
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Updating pathways and fences
3. Preservation of Historical Heritage
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Documenting burial sites
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Creating a database so families can locate relatives’ graves
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Photo and video documentation of monument conditions
4. Cooperation With Local Organizations
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Working with local authorities
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Coordinating with contractors
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Quality control of all completed work
Our Values
The foundation is built on the principles of:
Memory and Respect — caring for the place where generations of our ancestors rest.
Responsibility — every dollar collected is used purposefully.
Transparency — regular reports on completed work.
Unity of the Diaspora — bringing together Margilan Jews around the world.
We Invite You to Join Us
Preserving the cemetery is a duty to our ancestors and a gift to future generations.
We invite all Margilan natives and all members of the Bukharian Jewish diaspora to take part in this important project.
Your support preserves history.
Your involvement protects memory.
Your participation makes our heritage eternal.
