Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Day 1: Long Day's Journey Into Night

Day 1: Long Day’s Journey Into Night

When I decided that I would go on the Federation mission to Tbilisi and Israel I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew that I was going to see programs and people that our Federation dollars support, which would give me a better understanding of how our campaign dollars are deployed abroad; which in turn would lead to better stories of impact; which in turn would lead to more effective fundraising. But beyond that I didn't really have a sense of what the trip would entail. I had never been on a Federation mission before and knew nothing about Tbilisi. But I was up for the adventure. After getting my registration materials, two things were clear to me: first, although there were about 100 staff and lay leaders participating in this mission I knew not a soul. And second, I was going to be very, very tired.

The first truism turned out to be just temporary. I met up with the Pittsburgh contingent as well as Jerry Silverman (CEO of Jewish Federations of North America) who were also on the Istanbul-to-Tbilisi flight and we all proceeded together to the hotel. Pittsburgh was very friendly, and I found that this is the norm among the participants. Many of the people have been on several missions (they are "mission addicts"), and know each other, but the general vibe is one of collegiality. Everyone is there to share their experiences and best practices and to make new contacts and new friends. 


The second observation (i.e., exhaustion)…well, let’s just say that sleep isn’t a priority during a Federation mission. They like to say that the mission is 7 days and one night. I think I’m beginning to understand. It is a jam-packed schedule, which is why it is now 10:45 on Tuesday evening and I am just now sitting down to my computer. 

When we arrived at the hotel on Monday we checked in and then immediately went on a walking tour of the old city of Tbilisi, passing through a lovely park adjacent to the art museum:























The people of Georgia value the arts; there are sculptures of poets, actors and artists in many places. Tbilisi has a mix of architecture. Eighteenth and 19th century buildings stand alongside Soviet Era housing. But there are a number of modern structures as well, such as the Public Service Hall:




We also visited the oldest church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century:







The Georgian alphabet is quite beautiful, but impossible to figure out just by looking at it:



But here’s a photo that might help you get the gist of it:





The old city is in transition, with a number of buildings having already been renovated:  Here are some before and after pics:







Back to the hotel and dinner at a lovely hilltop restaurant with the Prime Minister.  He proudly told us that Georgia, unlike most of the Former Soviet Union, has no history of anti-semitism. In fact, the Prime Minister himself has Jewish ancestry on his mother's side. Jews have lived here for 26 centuries, dating back to the diaspora after the destruction of the first Temple. That isn't to say that life is easy for Jews here (as we will see tomorrow) but that there is a strong culture that has always been welcome.  

The country is rebuilding after Soviet rule and the economy is improving but still fragile. In many ways  Georgia is much more European than Eurasian. Unlike some of its neighbors which are more comfortable with authority rule, Georgia shares democratic values with the West. The Prime Minister, and later the US Ambassador to Georgia and the Israeli Ambassador, both of whom also spent time with us, had a simple message: Please enjoy what we see and then tell your friends. Tourism is critical to the Georgian economy.












That’s it for day one. More tomorrow.

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