In the article on the basis of the ideas of ‘new museology’ and the data of the conducted survey among representatives of the Jewish community of Samarkand the authors fix the critical situation in terms of preservation of the Jewish cultural heritage in this multinational city. One of the possible ways to improve it could be the creation of a museum of Jewish culture in Samarkand, which would meet modern standards and act as a center of tolerance and a place for the study and development of the disappearing culture. The survey helps to define the parameters of the museum concept more precisely and to make the first steps towards the formation of the museum community.