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Tbilisi, Georgia - Jews Warn of Impending Disaster, American Rabbis Cancel Kiruv Summer Camps

Published on:   Aug 11, 2008 at 08:26 AM
News Source: Ynet- VIN News
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Reuters: Soldiers run near a blazing apartment after a bombardment in the town of Gori, 50 miles from Tbilisi, August 9, 2008
Reuters: Soldiers run near a blazing apartment after a bombardment in the town of Gori, 50 miles from Tbilisi, August 9, 2008
Tbilisi, Georgia - Jews spending what was a rather uneventful summer vacation in the Caucasus found themselves in the middle of a war zone in the past few days, and are now desperate to get out of the country.

Israelis MK Leon Litinsky (Labor) left for the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, to try and assist Jews wishing to flee the battles. The Jewish community in Georgia numbers some 12,000 people – most of whom reside in Tbilisi, which has been under heavy Russian fire since Sunday.

"I felt I had to come here and try to help the Jewish community during this time," he said. "There were bombs landing near the hotel I'm staying in. we have refugees from all areas trying to find where to stay. The hotel manager has been able to turn a nearby school into temporary housing for them."

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Litinsky shares his hotel with many Israeli who traveled to Tbilisi – some for business, some for pleasure – and who asked him to try to use his influence in order to help them get home.

"The people here are nervous because they can't get out of Georgia. The overall felling is that battles may erupt in Tbilisi's streets at any moment. You can here the Russian jest flying overhear. It is very unnerving," he said.

Litinsky plans to try and reach the city of Gori, which is adjacent to the South Ossetian border, in order to help the local Jewish community. "We'll be traveling in a diplomatic vehicle, hoping that will protect us from any fire," he added.

Meir Zarovsky, who is in Tbilisi as part of an organized tour of the Caucasus, said "We heard the bombing over night and we are at out wits' end. There is no one to give us updates about what's going on. We demand to be extracted from this place. It feels like we're an hour away from disaster. (The state) has to get us out of here."

Arkia Airlines, issued a statement Monday, saying that "due to the recent bombing of the civilian airport in Georgia, we cannot fly in at this time.

"Arkia is looking into a possible cooperation with other airlines which have been granted entry into Georgia in order to fly out any Israelis staying in the country. The company also has a flight scheduled to fly out of Tbilisi this Friday."

"The Vaad L'Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Matisyahu Solomon Shlita,today released an important travel advisory.

"In light of the ongoing military action between Russia and Georgia, all Vaad sponsored Kiruv trips by American,Israeli and British Kolleleit,Shlichim and Bochurim to the cities of Tblisi, Gori and surrounding areas are canceled till further notice."

In light of the travel advisories issued by the State Department no one is to proceed with their previously made travel plans till further notice.All Shlichim are directed to call the office of the Vaad and await further instructions.They are not to proceed with their previously made travel plans to the Kiruv Summer camps, even those that are now in progress, as those programs are now altered.

The Kiruv activities for the Georgian City of Gori have been completely canceled and the Yidden there are being evacuated to Tblisi the Capitol of Georgia.

In light of the flight of Jews from the City of Gori to Tblisi and other safer parts of Georgia, the Vaad has established an emergency humanitarian campaign for Hatzolah of Georgian Jewry. Those who wish to contribute may contact the Vaad L'Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel at 718.252.5974."


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Read Comments (13)  —  Post Yours »

1

 Aug 11, 2008 at 09:49 AM anonymous Says:

Is Chabad leaving too?

2

 Aug 11, 2008 at 09:57 AM Nuchem R Says:

They should all travel by land out of the country.If they go south into armenia there is a way out,,,,Jews be smart travel south to armenia as fast as you can

3

 Aug 11, 2008 at 10:18 AM Gedalya Says:

Highly doubt it. They usually stay by disasters, such as Katrina and the Tsunami. That is when they are really of most help. May God almighty protect all the Jews living in Georgia including Rabbi MK.

4

 Aug 11, 2008 at 10:26 AM Flatbushdad Says:

Chabad leave? lol sure, that'll be the day. They will stay until they are the last ones on the island before one chabdnik would leave his post. Nothing like anyone or anything else - but we all knew that. Gotta admit its one of those comforting thoughts I have no matter which part of the world I travel too.
I hope all ends well for all people in the region.

5

 Aug 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM MARK Says:

oy gevald.... there we go again the litvaks looking for donations foR rescue work.REMEMBER,the zionists and the jewish agency are the ony people helping get the jews out of geogia,just like they helped save the irainan and ethiopian jews to come to their freedom.imagine the chutzpa not a word of help in rescue from our vacationing gedolim.well.remember the vaad hatzola during the holocust when their only mission was to save themselves, PLEASE CALL THE JEWISH AGENCY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS AIRLIFT MARK MAYER APPEL AM ECHAD

6

 Aug 11, 2008 at 10:55 AM Anonymous Says:

Mark,

The objective of the vaad is not necessarily to help get them out, but rather, to help them build yeshivas, mikvahs, kollels, and shuls, as well as make sure they have kosher food and places for shabbos.

I was in Tblisi and Gori earlier this year. One family told me that they had no interest in leaving because it was a lot easier for them to bring up their kids into yiddishkeit without the outside influences that currently exist in America and Israel.

7

 Aug 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM MARK Says:

the issue is now rescue,,,,,,,,lets not remain silent.we must get them out of there. mark

8

 Aug 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM Anonymous Says:

rabboisai, mamish gevald its not stam hashem yishmor!

9

 Aug 11, 2008 at 01:25 PM moses Says:

The vaad is not removing the resident staff, just cancelling the extra summer people and visitors.

10

 Aug 11, 2008 at 03:19 PM Nuchem R Says:

The jews should leave now. Go south thru Armenia Look out for yourself because no one cares,Gedolim care? Gedolim Chasderpoinem,Kakerpoinem

11

 Aug 11, 2008 at 03:41 PM Nochem R Says:

If you travel south you could leave either thru Armenia or thru Turkey both options are better then staying

12

 Aug 11, 2008 at 03:58 PM Raphael Moeller Says:

We should ALL have SPECIAL tefillo gathering and do more Teshuva than ever

13

 Aug 11, 2008 at 06:07 PM Anonymous Says:

Chabad will never leave. And maybe now these Israeli politicians will know what it's like to live in Sderot!!

14

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