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 Dor L’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

Monday, June 29, Mid-Afternoon: Welcome to the Peace Project

We launch our journey together in the sacred embrace of the Peace Cathedral with introductions, orientation, and an overview of the Peace Project. We share our first dinner together in the heart of Tbilisi.

Dinner included.

Tuesday, June 30: This Is Tbilisi

We embark on a walking tour of Tbilisi led by Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili, visionary founder of the Peace Project. Interweaving personal, political, spiritual, and historical threads, Bishop Malkhaz brings the city’s rich tapestry to life. As we venture through Tbilisi’s winding streets and climb and descend the landscape, we will visit sacred spaces for multiple religions, including a Zoroastrian temple. Special attention is paid to sites of Jewish significance.

Lunch and dinner included.

Wednesday, July 1: A Georgian Wine Excursion

On our way to a picturesque Georgian marani, we pause briefly in Gori, the birthplace
of Stalin, to reflect on a chilling chapter in local history. From there, we journey
through the rolling countryside to a traditional winery, where a seasoned politician
turned soulful vintner greets us with the secrets of Georgian wine making, tales of
personal transformation, and his profound connection to the Peace Project. Over a
sumptuous lunch, we savor organic Georgian wines, lift our voices in song and story,
and are initiated into the sacred art of the Georgian toast—an experience of deep
connection, joy, and reverence.

Late lunch included.

Thursday, July 2: Pilgrimage to Uplisziche

We will follow a classic Georgian pilgrimage route along a mountain ridge with sweeping vistas. Along the way we will pause for spiritual reflection, meditation, and perhaps a sip of local chacha. The hike concludes at Uplisziche, the awe inspiring remains of an ancient Bronze Age village. Uplisziche is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mostly flat route stretches just over 11 kilometers, with some challenging stretches; weather can impact the path and the starting point. Ideal for experienced hikers and those seeking a physical challenge. Other participants may opt to travel directly to Uplisziche.

We conclude the day with the hospitality of a local farmer and his family who welcome us to an unforgettable home-cooked Georgian Supra.

Late lunch included.

Friday, July 3: Free Time/Kabbalat Shabbat

The morning is yours to explore Tbilisi at your own pace. Stroll down Rustavelli Avenue. Relax in Tbilisi’s famed Sulfur Baths. Immerse yourself in Georgian culture at The National Gallery and its serene sculpture garden. For nature lovers, the National Botanical Garden offers rare plant species, a picturesque waterfall, and –for the adventurous–an exhilarating zipline.

Alternatively, join a hands-on culinary experience in the home of a master cook, a member of the Peace Cathedral, who will teach your to prepare Georgian favorites, like khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (dumplings), or churchkela (a traditional grape-and-nut treat). Enjoy local teas or browse the outdoor markets for handmade treasures and flavors.

In the afternoon, we will gather to prepare for Shabbat. Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze, the first woman ordained as a bishop in the Caucasus, will share her journey and guide us through a watercolor workshop inspired by her interfaith vision. We then join the Dor L’Dor Reform community for a soulful, musical Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by a joyful festive dinner.

Dinner included.

Saturday, July 4: Shabbat

We celebrate Shabbat with Dor L’Dor, pioneers bringing liberal Judaism to Georgia. A kiddush lunch follows services with time for meaningful conversation and relaxed interaction with members of the local community. The afternoon is yours to enjoy to peaceful rhythm of Shabbat.

As evening approaches, we will visit Beteli, the refugee center founded by the Peace Project. There, we will hear stories of Chechen and Ukrainian refugees who found safety and dignity at Beteli. We will visit the ceramics workshop they established, with an opportunity to support their work and enjoy a bowl of homemade Borscht.

As twilight settles, we gather on the porch to bid farewell to Shabbat with a musical havdalah.

Lunch and dinner included.

Sunday, July 5: Peace Cathedral Service

We begin the day with a rich, sensory worship experience at Sunday services in the Peace Cathedral, led by Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili. The service, complemented by the voices of the Cathedral’s choir, provides a window into the interfaith vision of the Peace Project, and is followed by a communal lunch.

In the afternoon, we ascend the Chronicle of Georgia Monument, whose towering sculpture tells the story of Georgina history and faith, set against views of the Tbilisi Sea. Our journey continues to the Yazidi Temple, where the High Priest invites us into the spiritual world of one of the region’s most ancient and resilient communities.

We return to our hotel in the evening, with dinner on your own to explore Tbilisi at your leisure.

Lunch included.

Monday, July 6: 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. Led by Bishops Malkhaz and Rusudan, our tour invites reflection on our Georgian experience, the vision of the Peace Project, and the personal meaning we each carry forward.

Lunch included.

Tuesday, July 7: Depart Tbilisi and Head Home or Join the Add-on Excursion to Kazbeghi

If you have time, we recommend this add-on overnight trip to Kazbeghi to immerse in the breathtaking mountain landscape. You will depart for Kazbeghi with Tornike Namicheishvili, our partner travel guide with Easy Travel, who is also affiliated with Dor l’Dor. The itinerary, including two nights in Kazbeghi, will be custom-tailored for the group and may include hiking in the Truso Valley and to the Gveleti waterfalls located between mountain gorges, as well as the awe-inspiring panorama at Gudauri Cliffs, or taking a different path to a luxury winery experience at Chateau Mukhrani. You may visit local shrines, the Ananuri Fortress, and Jinvali wate reservoir. Those participating will return to Tbilisi late on July 9, in time for late night departure flights.

Cost: $660 per person.

Note that this price (add-on excursion only) does not include meals or tip for guide. Add-on requires a minimum number of participants.

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