Ethan Goldrich Visits Tbilisi Synagogues

October 20, 2009

Ethan Goldrich, Director of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs's Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts Office, and Richard Sachs, Director of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs's Office for Regional Security and Arms Transfers

Ethan Goldrich, Director of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs's Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts Office, and Richard Sachs, Director of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs's Office for Regional Security and Arms Transfers, visited the Tbilisi Central synagogue and the newly renovated Beit Rachel (House of Rachel) synagogue in Old Tbilisi on October 20.  Beit Rachel, a 150 year-old Ashkenazi synagogue, was recently reopened after it was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1991.

After touring the synagogues, Rabbi Avelanekh Rozenbladt took the two visitors on a tour of the Tbilisi Jewish School, where students performed an impromptu showcase of traditional Georgian dances and Hebrew songs. Mr. Goldrich and Mr. Sachs were in Tbilisi to participate in the Security Working Group, established as part of the U.S.- Georgia Strategic Partnership Charter.