Eduard Nektalov

The time never stops, and already 14 years elapsed since the prominent public figure and political leader of the community, Vice-president of World Congress of Bukharian Jews, philanthropist Eduard Nektalov is no more. 14 years ago, the tidings of his tragic death shocked the entire world. On the day of grief, his friends from all around the globe came to commemorate him.

No matter how much time will pass, the memory of Eduard Nektalov will live in our hearts forever, for the very life of this strong and brave, selfless and generous, benevolent and respectful, wise and humble outstanding person changed many things for many people and showed us the way to make this world much better place.
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Eduard Nektalov was a descendant of two remarkable old families – the Nektalovs by the paternal line and the Abramov's by the maternal one – which were always well-known for their honesty and kindness, hospitality and respect to relatives and friends, for their support of poor and orphans. Eduard Nektalov was born in the Summer of 1957, in Tashkent to Rachamim and DevorahNektalov. He is the grandson of MordukhayNektalov and IllelAbramov, great-grandson of SeonNektalov and KhaimAbramov (Dabedi) and great-great-grandson of RakhminNektalov.
In 1973, Eduard Nektalov immigrated to the United States together with his parents. He was just 16, but from the very first day, he started assisting his father in the family business, and before long, they felt themselves at home in the new country, succeeding in all their endeavors.

Working in the NYC Diamond District on 47TH Street, Eduard Nektalov quickly won a high reputation among his clients and colleagues, who respected him for his honesty and decency – what Nektalov said always corresponded with what he did, am band that kept the honor of his word.

Following his father's example, Eduard Nektalov was actively engaged in charitable activity. He helped newly arrived immigrants settle in the US and supported them in the times of grief and happiness.

In the States, Eduard Nektalov got married to a wonderful girl,Marina , who he loved deeply. Marina bore him three children: two sons and a beautiful daughter. Unfortunately, a tragedy befell the happy family. Their second son Seon had problems with his health and died at the young age of 14 after a failed surgical intervention. Several years passed Eduard and Marina never managed to recover completely from the loss and found the strength to live further, raise their children and give them an education.

However, the grief didn't prevent Eduard Nektalov from continuing his work in our community. He even increased his efforts, constantly participating in charitable events, held by the community, the funds of which went to the needs of synagogues, cemeteries, Jewish schools and poor.

In 2000, he and his father went to Jerusalem as delegates of the First World Congress of Bukharian Jews and became its Vice-presidents, having made a considerable donation to the charitable foundation of the organization.

When Levi Levaev came to New York and the fundraising had been conducted for the construction of the new building for the Center of Bukharian Jews, Eduard Nektalov again was in the first ranks of philanthropists. More than one million dollars had been collected during that event.

Since Eduard's mother was buried in Tashkent a couple years before the family immigrated to the USA, he frequently went there to pay respects, got acquainted with the state of affairs in the spiritual life of the community in the capital and supported the communities of Bukharian Jews in Uzbekistan, considering it his sacred responsibility. Thanks to his efforts, funds for restoring graves, cemeteries and the help for poor were transmitted to Tashkent, Samarkand, and Andizhan.
Eduard was proud of the success in art, music, theater, and literature, the new immigrants of the last wave that came from the USSR and post-Soviet republics managed to achieve. He did his best to support the activity of musical and theatrical collectives that had been created in immigration, also involving into patronage his friends-businessmen. A whole range of grandiose projects that became historical had been realized under his support, such as the play by the poet IlyasMallaev and the performance The Singer of His Excellency, directed by Boris Kataev, which had a considerable success in New York. Eduard rendered assistance to the theaters Renaissance of Semen Aupovand Bukhara-on-Hudson of LubaPilosova and MietkhayMosheev, musical collectives Makom and Shashmakom, and the stars from Uzbekistan and Tadzhikistan.

In 2003, Eduard Nektalov had arranged the celebration of the 100 anniversary of the outstanding Uzbek poet and philosopher GafurGulyam, the author of the poem "I'm Jewish" that gained fame during the Second World War. On Nektalov's initiative and thanks to his support, the children and grandchildren of the poet were able to come to the USA and attend the event.

As a leader of the community, Eduard Nektalov actively participated in the political life of New York and the country in whole, meeting with politicians and social activists of the United States, Uzbekistan, Israel, and Tadzhikistan.

His vivid and emotional speeches at rallies and major public events invariably attracted the attention of the audience.

Bukhara Jews of the United States and foreign countries associated with his name the hopes for future, for he was a social activist of the international level.
Along with his other activities, Eduard Nektalov always took very seriously the training of leaders of the new generation, participating in the work of youth Jewish organizations and supporting their initiatives. He arranged the fundraising that helped to acquire the ambulance for Hatzahal.

He never ignored someone else's troubles and helped whoever in need. The day before his death, coming to know about a wounded 21-year-old immigrant Dmitry Mallaev, he visited him in the hospital to comfort and support the young man.
On May 20, 2004, he was gone.

Immediately after the death of Eduard Nektalov, his friends and comrades created a charitable foundation in his memory, which has carried out a lot of fruitful work during the recent years, providing the realization of many charitable programs. The Foundation's activity didn't bring to the community just gratitude of people but endless appreciation for consistency and integrity in the realization of those programs. Thousands of Bukharian Jews' families, who have received the direct assistance from Eduard Nektalov Charitable Foundation, write the letters of gratitude to this organization.

The Foundation's presidium continues working in the name of charity, help, and support of those in need, and every year, on the eve of Pesach the indigent families have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday in full measure.

"For me, Eduard Nektalov is the one, whose example I would like to follow," the President of the Foundation, Joseph Khaimov said about his friend. "He was purposeful, brave, strong, decent, and just person."

On April 10, 2005, in the banquet hall of Brooklyn hotel Marriott, the oldest Jewish organization Jewish National Fundhonored the laureates of its award Life Tree. One of them was the Vice-president of World Congress of Bukhara Jews in the USA, Eduard Nektalov.

The award Life Tree had been established over 100 years ago in 1901 at the Fifth Congress of Zionists in Basel. On the initiative of Theodor Gertsel, it had been decided to award with Life Tree "the members of the community, who shows outstanding social work, participation in the community's life and the commitment to peace and safety of human life".

Eduard Nektalov had been awarded posthumously. His award was handed over to his father Roman, his brother Leon and his son Michael. In his concise but very informative speech, MordechaiNektalov said that he was proud of his father, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, whose tradition to do good goes from generation to generation.

Eduard Nektalov became the first one in the history of Bukhara Jews, who had been honored with so high award.

14 years passed since the tragedy, but Eduard Nektalov continues to be a beacon for everyone, who was fortunate to know him, even if not in person. His very soul continues to support and lead those for whom the words "help", "support", "charity", "kindness", "generosity", "honesty", "justice", "benevolence" are not just words but the main principle of their life.

We will remember you forever, our dear brother, friend and leader Eduard Nektalov.

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