Tuesday was our first full day in Tbilisi. And when I say full, I mean really full. We had an early breakfast and were ready to go by 7:30 am. First up were some Fed Talks. We then heard from the American Ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland. He spoke about the geopolitical threats to Georgia as well as the important role that this country plays. Georgia is a strategic ally due in large part to its geography. Russia, Iran, Syria, Iraq. Georgia exists in an uncertain and unstable neighborhood.
It is no surprise that after the collapse of the Soviet Union Georgia quickly became a democracy. The country has a long history of coexistence and tolerance. Now it hopes to be at the main intersection of the New Silk Road.
Ambassador Norland gave us much food for thought, and then we were off to begin our site visits. In the morning we went to the home of a Jewish family at risk. This family is one of about 200 in Georgia who receive material support through Jewish Family Services (JFS) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). We first stopped at the grocery story to buy food for them. This particular family receives about 60 Lari (under $30) each month. Trust me, it's not much to live on. We threw a few extras in and were off to meet the family.
Our group consisted of six Federation participants (professionals and lay leaders from Kansas City, Lehigh Valley and Buffalo as well as myself), a case worker from JFS and a JDC representative. I don't think any of us were prepared for the poverty that we witnessed. As American Jews we don't expect that Jews in other parts of the world live in such marginalized circumstances. The apartment consisted of two bedrooms with a foyer in front that was used as a kitchen/dining area. We did not see a bathroom and later learned that there is a shared facility somewhere in the building. The family consisted of a disabled father, a mother and a 15-year-old boy. Although their circumstances were pretty bleak, they greeted us with dignity. The boy, Giorgi, was shy at first but opened up after a short while. He proudly showed us some of his artwork that he made in an art class at Chesed, which is funded by the JDC through dollars raised by Federation.
Programs like Chesed and material support from JFS are in place for Jews at risk all over the Former Soviet Union and in other countries where Jews need help. It gave me pause to think that had my great grandparents not had the wherewithal to leave Ukraine many years ago, this family could be mine. As Jews we are often quick to help others in need. After all, Tikkun Olam is a Jewish value. But we don't often think that those in need may be Jewish. It just isn't something we see in our dat to day lives. Today I saw just that. Giorgi's mother and father wanted us to know how much the Federation's support means to them.
Their message, told through our translators: tell everyone thank you for helping the people you do not see.
That was our morning. There's plenty more to tell, but the hour grows late (it's after 2 am) and we have an early day tomorrow. I promise to catch up and tell you more when I can. Laila Tov.
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