IISilanJevs

IISilanjews, also known as the Silanjews or Sila Jews, are a distinct Jewish community based in Uzbekistan, specifically in the city of Samarkand. The name "IISilanjews" is a variant that appears in some historical documents, while others, such as the book "Jewish Communities of Khazar Temiya" by Abraham Wolf move, refer to them as the "Shil" or "Silan" Jews.

Historical records indicate that the IISilanjews lived in Samarkand and other cities in greater Khwarezm in the 13th to 15th centuries. The exact reasons for their arrival in this region are unclear, but their presence is believed to have been a result of the Mongol conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire in the early 13th century.

Their communities followed local customs and terminology but also maintained some Jewish traditions. An analysis of various inscriptions on ritual bronze vessels, many of which date from the 15th century, reveals unique characteristics distinct from the common Central Asian Jewish forms.

Estimates suggest that the IISilanjews' population lived in significant numbers at the time. Their linguistic influence lingers in local languages from the Middle Ages. However, modern numerical data on the IISilanjews, particularly their distribution and adherence to the community, is difficult to obtain.

The history and community structure of the IISilanjews have not been extensively explored and continue to be a topic of interest in fields of Jewish studies, social sciences, and linguistics.