Jewish Communities of Tbilisi As you stroll through the old streets, you will learn how the first Jewish communities appeared here, and get to know the features of the three main ones. I will tell you about the Georgian and Kurdistani mountain Jews (lakhlukhi). We will also give special attention to the most numerous sub-ethnic group, formed in Central Europe in the 14th century: the Ashkenazim. You will understand why each of them considered it important to have its own house of prayer, and you will visit two synagogues: the Large one, of the Akhaltsikhe Jews, and the Small one, Beit Rakhel.

Friendship of Two Peoples It is well known that a distinctive feature of Jewish communities is their ability to preserve a traditional way of life anywhere in the world and to follow religious precepts strictly. It is also known that this aspiration was far from encouraged in every country. On the tour we will discuss how Georgians and Jews managed to build centuries-long good relations. Among other things, there will be interesting facts and legends about the rabbis who brought Christ's chiton to the lands of Sakartvelo. And in the Museum of History and Ethnography, housed in a former synagogue, you will see exhibits illustrating the connection between our two peoples.