In Tbilisi, Georgia, a Celebration of 25 Years of Aliyah

December 24, 2014
photo by Nathan Roie
photo by Nathan Roie

Tbilisi, Georgia recently celebrated the anniversary of the first aliyah, called the “great aliyah,” 25 years ago from the Soviet Union. Various celebratory events will be continued in Israel during 2015 organized by the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business and supported by both the Knesset and Georgian government.

The Mayor of Tibilisi; Hilik Bar, the deputy to the speaker of the Knesset; and Itsik Moshe the first emissary of The Hewish Agency to the USSR 25 years ago light th first Hanukka Candle at Tibilissi's Rustaveli Theatre. Photo by Nathan Roie.
The Mayor of Tibilisi; Hilik Bar, the deputy to the speaker of the Knesset; and Itsik Moshe the first emissary of The Jewish Agency to the USSR 25 years ago light the first Hanukka candle at Tibilisi’s Rustaveli Theatre. Photo by Nathan Roie.

According to Itsik Moshe, the first Jewish Agency director in Georgia, the aliyah heralded the beginning of relationships between Georgia and Israel and Georgia and world Jewry, still ongoing today.