Georgia Peace Project
An interfaith insider experience
Tbilisi, Georgia
June 28 – July 4, 2024
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 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.
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.
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.
LODGING AND MEALS
Seven nights at Ibis Styles, a 3-star hotel (Thursday, June 27-Thursday, July 4), six days of unique activities, meals as indicated in the sample schedule below (breakfast at the hotel is always included), and transportation to activities provided.
The program begins in the morning on Friday, June 28. Participants should plan to arrive by June 27. Additional nights either before June 27 or after July 4 can be arranged.
Sample Schedule
Friday, June 28: Welcome to Tbilisi, Erev Shabbat
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 welcome Shabbat at the Peace Synagogue with a creative service and festive dinner.
Lunch and dinner included.
Saturday, June 29: Shabbat
We celebrate Shabbat with a special adult b’nai mitzvah ceremony during services at the Peace Synagogue with members of l’Dor v’Dor. A kiddush lunch follows services with plenty of time to shmooze. 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 say goodbye to Shabbat with havdalah and spend time with Ukrainian refugees living at Beteli. If we are lucky, we will be treated to homemade borscht.
Sunday, June 30: 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. Afternoon and evening are yours to head out to see some of the sites in Tbilisi. Stroll down Rustavelli Avenue. Visit the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths. Take in some art at The National Gallery and relax in 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.
Lunch included. Dinner on your own in Tbilisi.
Monday, July 1: 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.
Lunch and wine tasting included. Dinner on your own in Tbilisi.
Tuesday, July 2: 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. Weather may affect conditions. 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.
Wednesday, July 3: 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.
Thursday, July 4: Depart
If you have time, we also recommend an overnight trip to Kazbegi to immerse in the breathtaking
mountain landscape.
PROGRAM COST
Double occupancy — $1900 per person
Single occupancy — $2400 per person
*register by February 1, 2024 for our early bird discount:
double occupancy $1600 pp; single occupancy $2000 pp
Program Cost Includes:
- All workshops, entry fees, and, experiences.
- Accommodations.
- Meals as outlined in schedule.
- Transportation and touring services for all programmed activities.
Program Cost Excludes:
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the airport on arrival and departure days.
- Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption; lost/damaged items; medical treatment, etc.
- All out-of-pocket and personal expenses.
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
- A non-refundable deposit of $270 upon registration will reserve your spot.
- Payment in full is required by April 15, 2024.
- Refunds cannot be given after April 25, 2024. For this reason, we strongly advise purchasing trip insurance.
- Payments may be made by credit card (Visa, MC, Amex) or bank transfer. (Credit card payments will incur a 3.5% processing fee.) No other forms of payment will be accepted.
Ready to register? Start the registration process with this form.
For more information, email info@findingnorthllc.com or call 973-650-2784.