The Light of Hanukkah in Tbilisi: Unity, Trust, and an Unexpected Honor

Being invited to the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony in Tbilisi was already a great honor for me. The invitation came from Tsiuri Akhalkatsishvili, Director of the Jewish Agency (Sohnut) in Georgia, and I accepted it with genuine joy. Yet that evening held an even greater and entirely unexpected surprise.

During the ceremony, I was asked to light the second candle of Hanukkah. The moment was so sudden and unforeseen that I briefly lost my words. I honestly cannot recall exactly what I said — but I clearly remember what I felt: deep gratitude, responsibility, and sincere emotion. It was a moment of trust, and I value it immensely.

Hanukkah is a celebration of light, resilience, and victory in the face of darkness. In this context, lighting a candle is not merely a ritual; it is a symbolic act of participation, recognition, and shared values. For me, this gesture carried a profound personal meaning.

The event was a joint initiative, bringing together leading Jewish organizations operating in Georgia — a powerful reflection of unity within the community:
• JDC Representative Office in the Southern Caucasus — David Zohar
• Hesed Eliyahu — Yakob Palagashvili
• Georgian Jewish Union — Merab Chanchalashvili
• Representation of the Jewish Agency for Israel (Sohnut) in Georgia — Avraham Ofir, Tsiuri Akhalkatsishvili
• Chabad in Georgia — Meir Kozlovsky
• Olam Georgia — Aron Mdinaradze
• Jewish Cultural and Educational Foundation — Elena Berkovich
• Hillel Tbilisi — Mauris Krichel

The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Israel’s Ambassador to Georgia, Walid Abu Haya, Zeev Elkin, an Israeli minister responsible for the reconstruction of the country’s northern and southern regions and for overseeing the work of the Nativ organization within the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as Chief Rabbi of Georgia, Aharon Gagulashvili.

Hanukkah candles were lit by representatives of each organization or by guests invited on their behalf. Each flame carried its own story, responsibility, and meaning. Together, they formed a powerful reminder of Hanukkah’s central message: even a small light can overcome great darkness when it is kindled with sincerity and shared purpose.

At a time when Israel, Georgia, and much of the world are facing profound challenges, the message of Hanukkah resonates with renewed urgency. It is a reminder that light endures — in people, in communities, and in the bonds that unite them.

May this light bring strength, dignity, and victory to Israel, to Georgia, and to people everywhere.