Caravan of Hope: A Bukharan Woman's Journey to Freedom

Caravan of Hope: A Bukharan Woman's Journey to Freedom

Zina Abraham was born in an Uzbek prison in 1933. It was a tumultuous time in Jewish history. Soviet Union annexed the territories of what is now Uzbekistan and the Stalinist regime had led to widespread discrimination against the Jews. Ultimately released from prison and strapped to her mother's chest, Zina and her mother, traveled by horseback undetected to Afghanistan. But as a woman in Afghanistan, she was still essentially in prison, concealed from the outside world with no access to education or medical care. Abraham's story takes us on sweeps and swirls through Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Her quest toward religious freedom and education transports us to India, to Israel, and then finally the United States. Central to each chapter of her life is a story of survival and a deep faith and commitment to build and nurture a Jewish life for herself and her community. Caravan of Hope tells the story of a Central Asian Jewish woman hailing from Bukhara, striving to reach the shores of a country that offered religious, financial and educational freedom. It recounts the experiences of many Bukharian Jews who were mainly uneducated and persecuted, with no time or wherewithal to chronicle their lives. This is one woman's journey. E.B. Roshan (reviewer) Caravan of Hope was good—an interesting account of a time, place, and people often overlooked in accounts of Mid-Eastern/Central Asian history. Since (at least in my opinion) the author is a better historian than storyteller, the book's strength lies in its carefully-researched details and historical accuracy, rather than complex characters or beautiful prose. Still, the resilience and courage of Hasid, Dora, Zina and others in the author's family group make for a compelling read dispute the occasionally wooden dialogue. The book was especially interesting to me because I've lived in that part of the world myself, and it's rare to read a non-Afghan/Persian author who gets those little details right. All in all, I'd recommend Caravan of Hope to readers who enjoy history, specifically Jewish history, and those who love real-life family sagas spanning wars, nations, and generations. Note: I received a complimentary review copy from the author Dahlia Abraham-Klein is a writer on Central Asian Jewish history and Jewish values. Her articles have appeared on Tablet, Chabad, Jewish Journal, and The Times of Israel. She is a teacher at Partners in Torah offering a personalized learning experience on the system of life through Jewish wisdom.