God Nisanov
Businessman & philanthropist
Juhuro
The Mountain Jews
An ancient Jewish people of the eastern Caucasus, with their own language, their own town, and a family that now spans the globe.
Juhuro
Who they are
The Mountain Jews — Juhuro in their own tongue — are descended from Persian Jews who settled across the eastern Caucasus more than a thousand years ago. Long established in what is now Azerbaijan and Dagestan, they built a distinct culture of their own, and Krasnaya Sloboda became their best-known town.
The Juhuri language
Juhuri (Judeo-Tat) is a southwestern Iranian language woven through with Hebrew and Aramaic. Once written in Hebrew letters, it is still spoken in the homes and streets of the town — one of the last places on earth where you can hear it as an everyday language.
A worldwide family
A worldwide family
From this small town a vast diaspora has spread — to Israel, Moscow, New York and beyond. Many became renowned entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and many have poured their success back into Krasnaya Sloboda. Each summer the lanes fill again as families come home.
Juhuro
Sons of the town
A few of the many people of Mountain Jewish heritage tied to this town and region.
Zarakh Iliev
Businessman & philanthropist
German Zakharyayev
Philanthropist; initiator of the 26 Iyyar memorial day
Rashbil Zakharyayev
Public figure & benefactor
Telman Ismailov
Entrepreneur
Albert Agarunov
National Hero of Azerbaijan