Last summer, a group of Bay Area young professionals gathered at Georgian Cheese Boat, a cozy neighborhood restaurant in San Francisco. Over cheese-filled bread and Georgian wine, they got to know each other and the teams from JDC Entwine and the Federation who would guide them on their upcoming journey to Georgia. The excitement was palpable — none of them quite knew what to expect, but they could feel something significant was about to unfold.

The group had already connected virtually to learn about the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) work and Georgia’s Jewish history, but this in-person gathering made it real. They were going to do this together.

Tbilisi: Where Stories Live

When the cohort arrived in Tbilisi in September 2025, the city welcomed them with cobblestone streets, warm hospitality, and a Jewish community eager to share its story. But the most profound moments happened behind closed doors.

Through JDC’s Hesed welfare program, participants visited homebound elderly clients in their apartments, delivering food and medicine. “I particularly enjoyed meeting Elena, a Hesed client, in her home. She was so sweet and we bonded over speaking Hebrew together,” shared Danit. “Hearing about her life and love for JDC was very meaningful.”

These were more than just service visits — they were connections across generations, languages, and life experiences. Participants heard firsthand about life under Soviet control and the challenges that persist today. They witnessed how JDC’s work transforms individual lives in tangible, beautiful ways.

Gori: Resilience in a Small Town

Forty miles east of Tbilisi, in the town of Gori, the group discovered what resilience looks like. They toured one of Georgia’s oldest synagogues, a matzah bakery, a mikvah (ritual bath), and a bustling community center. Local leaders showed them how they serve daily meals to children and run essential programs, despite limited resources and shrinking numbers.

“JDC Entwine brought us closer to the global Jewish community and connected the diaspora in a powerful way,” one participant recalled. “A highlight for me was connecting to the Georgian Jewish community through language. While I don’t speak Russian or Georgian, we connected with Hebrew.”

The visit to Gori made something clear: Jewish communities thrive not because of their size, but because of their commitment.

Shabbat and Reflection

Friday night arrived, and the cohort joined community members for Shabbat dinner at Chabad in Tbilisi. The table was full, the singing was joyous, and for a few hours, the Bay Area met Tbilisi in celebration.

During Havdalah, participants reflected on what they had seen and experienced. What does it mean to be part of a global Jewish community? What responsibility do we carry? What will we do when we get home?

Throughout the trip, Entwine’s Jewish learning curriculum wove together themes of kavanah (intentionality), arevut (mutual responsibility), and assiyah (action). The Federation representatives led a session on the “5 T’s of Philanthropy” — time, talent, ties, testimony, and treasure — expanding how participants thought about giving beyond money.

“I loved connecting with other Jewish young adults from my area and creating new friendships,” shared one participant. “In Georgia and home in the Bay Area, I plan to continue learning and connecting.”

Coming Home, Changed

These young professionals had left as individuals interested in global Jewish life. They returned as a cohort — connected, committed, and ready to act.

Within weeks of coming home, nearly the entire group reunited for a post-trip fundraising workshop. Together, they set an ambitious goal: raise $5,000 to support the Jewish community in Georgia. By the end of 2025, they had nearly reached it.

“I didn’t know very much at all about Georgia’s history and culture, let alone the Jewish community,” Danit reflected. “I am motivated to help however I can so that JDC and the Georgian Jewish community continue to thrive.”

The post-trip evaluations told the story in numbers: 100% of participants reported feeling part of a global Jewish community after the experience. But the real measure of impact lives in what came after — the friendships that continued, the commitment to service that deepened, and the understanding that Jewish responsibility doesn’t stop at borders.

This group of 12 discovered what it feels like to be part of something bigger than yourself, to connect across continents, and to serve with your heart.

For more information about the Federation’s work with JDC Entwine and upcoming opportunities and experiences, contact Stacey Silver, Sr. Director of Engagement and Events.