… 1959, at the age of 66 Grandma Husni died of a stroke. Dad was very upset about the loss.
We said goodbye to her, observing all the proper rites.
We remember her as a most beautiful person.
In 1961, at the end of July, on Shabbat as always, we had many guests from Dad’s and Mom’s side.
There was also a guest from Bukhara and his name was Aboi-Kovil. When the guests left, he came up to daddy and he said: “Ruben, how beautiful you live, everybody loves you your Tamarochka has set such rich tables.
“I’m very envious. Let me wear your kippah.”
He took from table dad’s gold watch with bracelet and bale, and we laughed at his humor.
The next day, Saturday, we went for a walk, and at night, about 11:30 p.m., Daddy suddenly got sick. My older brother Borja was in the army at that time. On an urgent call he was sent home. Mom made every effort to cure Dad, but, alas… to no avail.
Professor Gordon came to us for three days, doctor Kalantarov flew in from Moscow.
Mikhail, and the best specialists of the city. Mom was ready to give everything to get Dad out of death’s hands, but I guess it was her will.
Our dad passed away at the age of 44, in the prime of life. Trouble struck our home and swept away all joy. Dad had helped many orphans from the war, and here we were orphans ourselves. Borja, Kolya was 14 and I was 17. We missed our father. and still do.
Mom was widowed at 42, left with three unsettled children. It seems like she was just put her sister’s children and her older ones, who were orphaned, and now us… But this strong woman did not lose heart.
She observed all the traditions of Bukhara Jews, freed the terrace, brought the
Ruben Gulkarov in Kislovodsk. Ruben and Tamara on the patio of their house.
Memorial to Ruben Gulkarov and his
mother Husni Gulkarov. Tashkent
Sefer Torah and organized a synagogue at home, to which our elders Nison came Abramov, Moshka Balkhiev, Amner Leviev, Natan Yakubov, Naftalin Yagudayev and many others. For a whole year we celebrated all rites, holidays, made wake every week for up to a month, and then every week for up to a year. All this was done by relatives friends who respected him. One of his friends, Nerye Haimov, when he heard about what happened.
flew in from Kislovodsk, leaving the treatment. Uncle Naftalin couldn’t sleep, he’d come at five in the morning.
at five in the morning, praying as loudly as he could, so that he could be heard. And mom would make him tea
then he’d wake up Kolya, still a baby, who would sleep and sleep, to pray.
Surprisingly, the neighbors were uncomfortable with all this, but you have to give them credit.
and no one said anything, because mom knew how to talk to them beautifully.
to them. Honey poured from her lips, one blessings, respect and treats. Mama didn’t
until after the anniversary.
That’s how we did the anniversary where there was a lot of people. A bright memory to my dad
A big bow to my mom. May they rest in peace
