Explore the breathtaking landscapes and ancient cities of Georgia.

Learn to toast the Georgian way, sample the country’s famous wines, and cook classic Georgian cuisine.

Delve into the country’s 2600-year-old Jewish history, and engage with the founders of l’Dor v’Dor, a fledgling liberal Jewish community begun in 2022 that has faced significant challenges.

We will root ourselves at the Peace Project: a unique religious space housing separate Jewish, Christian, and Muslim places of worship under one roof with a neutral space for interfaith dialog and accompanying programming. Its visionary founder, Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili, will lead us in a variety of interfaith settings together with Finding North’s Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin to better understand this region.

Be part of this historic person-to-person experience. Form bonds with members of
the fledgling liberal Jewish community in Tbilisi. Connect with people from the larger local interfaith community.

Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Read a December 2024 profile of Dor L’Dor founder Misha Grishashvili from the World Union for Progressive Judaism here.

Read The Forward editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren’s 2023 article about the challenges facing the community and its historic adult b’nai mitzvah ceremony here; her adventure in Georgian cooking here; and a focus on two of the founders of the community here.

Read Johanna Ginsberg’s 2022 article about the birth of this community and the dedication of its first Torah, which appeared in Ha’aretz, The Forward, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and other media outlets here.

All programs begin on location and are subject to change.

Ready to join us? Register here!
For more information, email info@findingnorthllc.com or call 973-650-2784.

Sample Schedule

Tuesday, June 24: Welcome to Tbilisi

We launch our journey with a walking tour of Tbilisi and lunch in the Old City with special emphasis on sites of Jewish interest. In the evening, we enjoy dinner together in Tbilisi.

Lunch and dinner included.

Wednesday, June 25: A Georgian Wine Excursion

In a picturesque winery, a passionate vintner reveals the secrets of traditional Georgian winemaking and his own bittersweet journey. We sample the wine and learn to toast the Georgian way. A visit to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin, is included on the way to the winery.

Thursday, June 26: Mtzskheta

We visit the ancient capital of Mtzskheta, one of the oldest cities in Georgia, now a UNESCO
Heritage Site. Here, Christianity was proclaimed the official religion of Georgia in the 4th century.

Friday, June 27: Free time/Kabbalat Shabbat

The morning and afternoon afternoon are yours to head out to see some of the sites in Tbilisi. Stroll down Rustavelli Avenue. Relax in Tbilisi’s famed Sulfur Baths. Take in some art at The National Gallery and visit its lovely sculpture garden in the back. The National Botanical Garden of Georgia beckons with plants from many regions of the world, a waterfall, a spectacular view, and if you are adventurous, a zipline. Or, try your hand at cooking some Georgian delicacies, like khachapuri (a classic Georgian cheese bread), khinkali (dumplings), or churchkela (a grape juice-covered nut snack), in the kitchen of a local. Sample the local tea or explore some of the city’s thriving markets.

In the evening, we will gather together for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service and festive dinner, joined by members of the local liberal congregation, Dor L’Dor.

Saturday, June 28: Shabbat

We celebrate Shabbat with a special adult b’nai mitzvah ceremony during services at the Peace Synagogue with members of Dor L’Dor. A kiddush lunch follows services with plenty of time to shmooze and enjoy a relaxed Shabbat afternoon. Later, we will say goodbye to Shabbat with a musical havdalah and light dinner.

Sunday, June 29: Peace Cathedral Service

We take the opportunity to experience the sensory approach to worship for Sunday services in the Peace Cathedral, led by Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili, followed by a communal lunch. Later in the day we will visit the Chronicle of Georgia Monument and take in the view of the Tbilisi Sea. We will have a chance to meet with the Yazidi community before heading to the Beteli Center, part of the Peace Project. There we will spend time with Ukrainian refugees living at Beteli. If we are lucky, we will be treated to homemade borscht.

Monday, June 30: Pilgrimage to Uplisziche

We will follow a classic Georgian pilgrimage route and find ourselves in the remains of an ancient
Bronze Age village known as Uplisziche. The pilgrimage is relatively flat but long and includes difficult stretches. The hike is just over 11 kilometers, but weather may affect conditions and starting point. For experienced hikers and those who embrace a challenge. Other participants may opt to head directly to Uplisziche. Together we will enjoy home hospitality and a Georgian Supra, not to be missed, at the home of a nearby farmer.

Tuesday, July 1: Depart

If you have time, we also recommend an overnight trip to Kazbegi to immerse in the breathtaking
mountain landscape.

Ready to register?  Start the registration process with this form.
For more information, email info@findingnorthllc.com or call 973-650-2784.