Bukharian Jewish community in Aurora thrives

ROSH HASHANAH EDITION 5778 SECTION D PAGE 10 east on Mississippi, just into Aurora, one would never know that behind the unassuming beige brick façade of 11100 East is a vibrant, growing congregation of Bukharian and Sephardic Jews. Uzbek-born, Israeli-raised (his family moved there when he was one), Rabbi David Araiev is the congregation’s fourth rabbi in its 19 years, and he doesn’t see himself leaving any time soon. In his four years with Ohr Avner, the congregation has grown immensely on all fronts — membership, classes, Hebrew school, services and, most important perhaps, infrastructure. This past year the community erected Aurora’s first eruv (the boundary line allowing observant Jews to carry items on Shabbat) and is just finishing a mikveh, ritual bath. Araiev, 28, […]