Georgia's Remarkable Exception
Why the country of Georgia stands as a unique case in the history of antisemitism
Ancient Jewish settlement in Georgia dates back over 2,600 years, one of the oldest continuous Jewish communities in the world.
[This post continues an idea developed in another post, “Are Jews Inherently Successful?”, specifically in the section about Georgia.]
The Exception That Proves the Rule
When we examine the often tragic history of Jewish communities throughout the world, we typically encounter a pattern of persecution, expulsion, and discrimination. Yet tucked between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains lies a remarkable exception—the country of Georgia, where for over 26 centuries, Jewish communities have experienced something almost unheard of: a society largely free from indigenous antisemitism.
Unlike the pogroms of Russia, the expulsions from Spain, or the dhimmi restrictions of the Arab world, Georgia's historical record shows a profound absence of state-sponsored persecution against its Jewish population. This small nation at the crossroads of Europe and Asia offers a fascinating case study in what peaceful coexistence between majority and minority religious communities can look like over millennia.
"Acculturation Without Assimilation"
The first Jewish settlers likely arrived in what is now Georgia following the destruction of the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BCE. Archaeological evidence, including tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions dating to the 4th-5th centuries found in ancient Mtskheta, confirms their early presence.
What makes Georgian Jews unique is their distinctive pattern of integration. They became deeply acculturated into Georgian society—adopting Georgian as their mother tongue rather than developing a separate Jewish language like Yiddish or Ladino—while simultaneously maintaining their religious identity and practices. This phenomenon, often described as "acculturation without assimilation," allowed Georgian Jews to become integral to Georgian society without sacrificing their Jewish identity.
The lexical influence of Hebrew is even traceable in the Georgian language, including the word for Saturday, "shabati," indicating just how intertwined these communities became over centuries of cohabitation.
A Sharp Contrast to European and Middle Eastern Experiences
To appreciate how exceptional Georgia's case is, we must understand the stark differences between the Georgian experience and that of Jewish communities elsewhere:
In Europe:
Widespread pogroms killed thousands during the Crusades, Black Death, and in Tsarist Russia
Mass expulsions from England (1290), France (1306/1394), Spain (1492), and Portugal (1496)
Ghettos, special badges, and severe occupational restrictions
The Holocaust as the horrific culmination of centuries of antisemitism
In the Arab World:
Dhimmi status imposing legal and social restrictions
Requirement to wear distinctive clothing marking Jews as separate
Limited access to the legal system and payment of special taxes
Violent pogroms like the "Farhud" in Iraq (1941) and the mass exodus of Jews from Arab countries after 1948
In Georgia:
No record of indigenous pogroms against Jews
No expulsions on religious or ethnic grounds
No ghettos or requirements for distinctive clothing
While Jews experienced serfdom, this was a socioeconomic status affecting non-Jewish Georgians as well, and explicitly prohibited forced conversion
Perhaps most tellingly, Georgian kings valued and trusted their Jewish subjects, even utilizing them in diplomatic service. During the 12th century, the Jewish head trader Zanjan Zorababeli arranged a husband for Georgia's first female monarch, Queen Tamar—a position of trust unimaginable in most medieval European courts.
When Antisemitism Did Appear: The Russian Connection
Georgia's exceptional history doesn't mean the country was completely immune to antisemitism. However, the historical record shows a clear pattern: significant antisemitic incidents primarily emerged during periods of external domination, particularly under Tsarist and Soviet rule.
The annexation of Georgia by the Russian Empire in 1801 introduced blood libels, economic restrictions, and officially sanctioned discrimination. Later, Soviet rule brought further suppression of Jewish religious and cultural life, with synagogues closed or destroyed and Jewish activists arrested.
This pattern continues today, with contemporary antisemitic statements from certain Georgian Orthodox clergy explicitly linked to "messages coming from the Russian Patriarchate" and amplified by pro-Russian groups. Rather than reflecting indigenous Georgian attitudes, these incidents appear to be an imported phenomenon, connected to Russia's long history of weaponizing antisemitism for political purposes.
Why Georgia Stands Apart
Heres my theory for what appears to have contributed to Georgia's unique history:
Deep Historical Entrenchment: The millennia-long presence of Jews in Georgia created an "insider" status where they were perceived as an integral part of Georgian society rather than foreign outsiders.
Absence of Religious Incitement: Unlike many Christian-majority nations, the Georgian Orthodox Church historically did not incite against the Jews for centuries, avoiding the theological demonization common elsewhere.
Shared Struggles Against External Threats: Jews fought alongside Georgians against common enemies, fostering solidarity that transcended religious differences.
Cultural Openness: Georgia's position at the crossroads of civilizations fostered a culture of hospitality and pragmatic acceptance of diversity.
Contemporary Reality and the Israeli Connection
Today, Georgia's Jewish population has dwindled from nearly 60,000 in the 1970s to approximately 1,500. However, this dramatic decrease wasn't driven by persecution but rather by Zionism and the desire for Aliyah (immigration to Israel). Unlike Jewish exoduses from other regions, Georgian Jewish emigration was characterized by communal movement based on religious aspirations rather than flight from hostility.
Georgia maintains strong diplomatic and cultural ties with Israel, with the Georgian government expressing "full solidarity with Israel" following the October 7th attacks. This pro-Israel stance further distinguishes Georgia from many post-Soviet states where antisemitism remains more prevalent.
Lessons from the Georgian Exception
In a world where antisemitism continues to surge globally, Georgia's historical example offers a powerful counterpoint to the notion that Jewish-gentile relations must inevitably be marked by conflict and persecution. While no society is perfect, and Georgia has faced contemporary challenges (particularly from external influences), its overall historical trajectory demonstrates that peaceful coexistence is possible.
This small nation's exceptional history reminds us that antisemitism is not inevitable—that different paths are possible when societies resist the urge to scapegoat minorities and instead embrace the contributions of diverse communities as part of their national fabric.
This article is based on extensive historical research. For a complete list of sources, please see the original academic report.
