A delegation from Georgia’s State Agency for Religious Issues met with Daniel S. Mariaschin, CEO of B’nai B’rith International, at the organization’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., as reported by the Agency.

During the meeting, Agency Chairman Zaza Vashakmadze provided an overview of Georgia’s religious policy, emphasizing the 26-century-long tradition of Georgian-Jewish relations. He highlighted the government’s financial support to religious organizations, noting the increase in annual funding from 150,000 GEL to 550,000 GEL as symbolic and partial compensation for damages suffered by the Jewish community during the Soviet era. Vashakmadze also mentioned that all 22 synagogues confiscated by the Soviet regime have been returned to the Jewish community. He cited the maintenance of Jewish cemeteries as a clear example of the unique relationship between the two nations.

Vashakmadze addressed the situation in Georgia’s occupied territories, stating that fundamental human rights—including the rights to life, movement, education, and religion—are being violated in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. He noted that churches and monasteries in these areas are being destroyed or, under the pretext of restoration, are losing their Georgian heritage. He pointed out that only Georgian Orthodox clergy are denied access to conduct services in these regions, while representatives of other religions are permitted. In this context, he underscored the importance of strategic partnership with the United States.

Mariaschin thanked the delegation for sharing this information and offered his perspectives on the discussed issues. The conversation also touched upon the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mariaschin shared his personal connection to Georgia, noting that his great-uncle served as a rabbi in the now-destroyed Tskhinvali synagogue and is buried there.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Vashakmadze presented Mariaschin with several publications: “Religious Repressions in Soviet Georgia,” a book published by the Davit Baazov Museum of Georgian-Jewish Friendship, and a bilingual edition of the Psalms of King David in Georgian and Hebrew.

The meeting was also attended by Sandro Inashvili, Counselor to the Acting Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the U.S.; David Davitashvili, Head of the Legal Maintenance Office of the Agency; and Aleksandre Shekiladze, Chief Specialist of the same office.

For more details, read article here, in Georgian.