Explore Jewish life in Azerbaijan and Georgia
See historic attractions and meet members of the Jewish community during a 14-day tour of the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Georgia, departing Australia in April.
THERE’S intriguing history, tourist attractions and opportunities to meet the Jewish community in the upcoming tour, Footsteps through Georgia and Azerbaijan, departing Australia in April.
The 14-day tour to the former republics of the Soviet Union is being organised by The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in conjunction with FBI Travel and led by Brett Kaye and Cindy Berg.
This is the fifth Footsteps tour that Kaye, JDC National Director and Cantor at St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, has conducted with Berg, although it’s their first to Georgia and Azerbaijan.
“Cindy leads the Israeli dancing on tour while I do the singing, so the focus is having a good time,” Kaye told The AJN.
“All our Footsteps tours offer a good blend between seeing the tourist attractions of the country, appreciating the history, meeting the local Jewish community and seeing first-hand the incredible work of JDC in the region.”
The tour begins on April 28 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and includes the Absheron Peninsula and Gobustan before a flight to Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, and includes Kakheti, Mtskheta, Kutaisi and ends in Batumi on the Black Sea on May 11.
Azerbaijan is in the Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, bordered by Georgia, Russia, Armenia, Iran and Turkey, while Georgia borders Russia to the north and Turkey to the southwest.
Among the top tourist attractions in Azerbaijan are Baku Old City and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, while Georgia’s attractions include Tbilisi’s historic Old Town and the former capital of Kutaisi.
“It is a part of the world that is unexplored and largely unknown for Australians,” said Kaye.
“We will celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with the Mountain Jews of Azerbaijan and enjoy Shabbat with local people in their homes,” said Kaye, adding that Baku has half a dozen synagogues.
“The Mountain Jews are the biggest Jewish community in the country numbering about 11,000 and have a fascinating history dating from before the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
“Georgia has lots of attractions and is a popular summer holiday destination for European travellers who want luxury hotels, fine food and beautiful beaches.
“The Georgian wines are famous and while on the tour we will experience wine tasting at Chateau Mukhrani and enjoy a traditional Georgian feast.”
Photo: Matyas Rehak/Dreamstime
Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is home to a thriving Jewish community in the Old Town. Among its three synagogues is the Great Synagogue, along with a Jewish Community House.
“It is the focus of Georgian Jewish life – our tour will spent time in Tbilisi as well as taking day trips to explore surrounding areas,” said Kaye.
“We will also be visiting people’s homes together with JDC workers on the ground, seeing how JDC helps the community with its humanitarian work.”
Kaye said some participants plan to visit Israel after the tour.
“It’s a two-hour flight from Tel Aviv to the Black Sea resort of Batumi, which is why this beach resort in Georgia is a popular holiday spot for many Israelis.”
The Footsteps through Georgia and Azerbaijan tour, April 28 to May 11, 2025, is organised by JDC in conjunction with FBI Travel. For more information contact Simonne Winecier at simonnewi@jdc.org and FBI Travel.
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