A recent interview with Yakov Ozaryayev, an active member of the Jewish diaspora in Azerbaijan, sheds light on important aspects of the community’s life and activities. In a conversation with journalist Faris Ashurov, he reveals current projects, efforts to maintain Jewish cemeteries, and discusses the situation surrounding Vyacheslav Belsky, a figure who raises many questions in society.

Support for Jewish Cemeteries

One of the main topics of discussion was the work to keep Jewish cemeteries clean and orderly. Yakov spoke about regular clean-ups and the assistance provided by the community.

“We continue to clean the cemetery two to three times a week to maintain cleanliness and order,” Yakov noted.

A significant point was a report from Israel about damaged graves due to a fallen tree. With the help of the shkina and Georgian Sephardic Jewish communities, the work was organized quickly and effectively.

“We removed the tree, cleaned the area, and sent photos to Israel,” he added.

Yakov’s Initiatives

Yakov has also taken personal initiative by organizing the collection of sacred texts and their burial in accordance with Jewish traditions. This demonstrates his commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

“Jews cannot burn or throw away sacred texts. I collected them from all communities and buried them in the cemetery,” Yakov explained.

Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan

During the interview, the topic of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan was discussed, which Yakov believes serves as an example for other countries.

“Azerbaijan can show the whole world that people of different faiths can live in harmony,” he emphasized.

Yakov noted the importance of maintaining tolerance and respect among different ethnic and religious groups, which has been made possible by cultural traditions passed down through generations.

The Situation with Vyacheslav Belsky

One of the most discussed topics has been the situation of Vyacheslav Belsky, who causes confusion and criticism within the community. Yakov spoke about the assistance Belsky received from the community and the difficulties he is facing.

“In 2024, Belsky was helped three times, and in 2025 — four. These are quite significant sums,” Yakov noted.

However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Belsky needs a guarantor for obtaining citizenship, which requires the involvement of individuals rather than legal entities.

“The community can reach out to its members, but no one wants to take on such responsibility,” Yakov explained.

He also touched upon Belsky’s dark past, as he was convicted of fraud in 2001. This creates additional challenges in his situation.

“Not everyone would agree to be a guarantor for someone with such a past,” Yakov added.

Conclusion

The interview with Yakov Ozaryayev demonstrated that the Jewish diaspora in Azerbaijan is actively working to preserve its cultural heritage and maintain relationships between different communities. Nevertheless, challenges such as the situation with Vyacheslav Belsky highlight the need for open dialogue and collaboration in addressing the issues facing the community.

Yakov expressed hope for regular meetings and discussions to inform the public about the activities and problems of the Jewish diaspora in Azerbaijan.