Thursday, July 16, 2015

Tuesday Afternoon in Tbilisi

Tuesday Afternoon in Tbilisi 


Okay, it’s been a few days since I posted, but I was experiencing technical difficulties. So I’ll try to catch up a bit.

After lunch we went to the Chesed Center which is like a JCC. It is funded by the Federation through the Jewish Agency. We first visited with elderly Jews who come to Chesed to create community. They were engrossed in an art class, but were happy to see us and talk about their lives. The room was crowded, but we never felt intrusive at all. They were happy to see us and expressed thanks that the Chesed Center is there for them. It was powerful to think that we have this extended family on the other side of the world and loved that they made time to share their lives with us. I sat next to Lena who was painting a plaster sculpture of the Israeli seal. Lena goes every week to her art class and also goes just to hang out. Through an interpreter she explained how she carved it and talked a bit about her other artwork. What a gentle soul she was. 



Upstairs, teens were preparing to perform for our group. They danced traditional Georgian dances.






I haven't been able to upload  my videos to the Facebook page, but will keep trying, because honestly it was tremendous. They also sang -- traditional songs and rock songs. I really, really need my 17-year-old son to figure out why the video won't upload, because the rock band was terrific. They played "I Want to Fall in Love" by Chris Isaak -- I sure hope you know that song, but you don't, find it on YouTube -- and "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. The crowd went wild!

We really didn't want to leave these kids, but back on the bus we went. 

It was time to meet some families who are about to make aliyah. The family that I got to know was a young couple with two young girls. He studied Economics in college, but for the past several years the only work he could get was driving a bus. So, they are leaving the world they know for better opportunities for their children. 



We sang and danced, and wished them well on their new journey. It won't be easy, but they are full of hope.

Finally, a wonderful dinner with friends after a long and emotional day.







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