About us
Tiferet Tzvi is a Jewish educational center of Tbilisi, Georgia, functioning under the directive of the Chief Rabbi of Georgia Rabbi Ariel Levin. The center’s administrator is Rabbi Avimelech Rosenblat. Tiferet Tzvi began with just a few classes, and today it’s a growing multifaceted educational institution with a variety of programs. .
In September 1991 was opened the first (since the advance of communism) Jewish school in Tbilisi. In the beginning, the school was situated in a few rooms of a building next to the central synagogue. From the start, the small school was overwhelmed by the amount of potential students coming to interview and plead for admission. The parents and their children thirsted for spiritual nourishment, of which they have been long deprived. The Jews of Europe and America extended their assistance generously and offered to perform brisim, chuppas, bar mitzvas. For these purposes, hundreds of Jews, young and old a like, were flown to France, England, Switzerland. A new world had opened before their eyes at the exact time when the majority of the population was on a brink of poverty, living through a civil war. Even during the darkest period, when there was hunger and shooting in the streets, people continued coming to school and attended Torah lectures. And who can forget the famous Shabbos meals conducted by Reb Ariel, many still refer to them as the Shabasos “at the school”. The Shabbos meals are provided at our school even today, they are held at the same room as the original ones, except that it also serves as a kindergarten during the week.
In the response to the urgent needs of the growing school, Vaad L’Hatzolas began to send Shlichim, teachers from abroad. Alternatively, many of the graduates of Tiferet Tzvi were able to continue their learning in yeshivas and schools in Europe and the US. Rav Israel Davis an English-born Israeli, and Rav Meshulam Clarberg from Australia were among the first sent. In 1992 was opened Yeshiva Or Emet . Rav Shmuel Koren and his wife Yardena arrived from Israel. They had to sleep in the attic of the school, but enthusiasm and idealism helped to overcome many difficulties.
People just kept on coming, even when the classes had to be conducted with by candle light due to persistent power shortages. Originally the majority of new comers were from the older generation, who remembered the sweetness of the Torah, but eventually the youth began to join as well.
Around this time the Rachamim organization begins its relief activities. Rachamim was opened under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi and was headed by Gedalya Krowetz. The collapse of the Soviet Union lead to the destruction of economical infrastructure, and the poverty became rampant. One of the main original projects was assistance with food and medicines. Rachamim also serves as the Chevra Kadisha and takes care of Mes Mitzva. After Gedalya Krowetz left, Rachamim was headed by Alexandr Rosenblat, A”H.
In 1999 was opened the primary school, where the first teacher of tradition was our own graduate Elisheva Usupova. After the Korens the Vaad sent us reb Gedalya Spinadel, Rav Uri Geller with his wife Tzipora and others. During the same year international Jewish Women’s organization Emuna opens its branch in Tbilisi, headed by Dvora Levin, the wife of Reb Ariel. Zaira Davarashvili became the representative of Emuna in Georgia. Within Emuna of Tbilisi there was formed a group of women organizing and attending shiurim- Torah lectures- in Georgian, “Etz Chayim”, the first head of Etz Chayim became Zuzuna Mdinaradze.
In 1997, with the support of Pincus Fund the Mechina Academy was created. Mechina Academy catered to young people, students, who, by attending classes in the afternoon, could study Hebrew language, Jewish tradition, Computers and English. Gradually the program extended to other cities such as Gori, Kutaisi, Batumi. Today Mechina Academy is geared to train teachers of Hebrew and Jewish tradition, and many of our graduates work in various Jewish institutions and organizations in many cities of Georgia and FSU.
At about the same time we began a Sunday school – to allow the parents of our day school student to expand their Jewish knowledge. Today on the basis of the Sunday school was opened a women’s club Mishpacha, headed by Dayana Yaroslavitz and Maya Tetruashvili. Mishpacha has soon became very popular among the Jewish women of Tbilisi. In the fall of 2005 Mishpacha conducted its first Seminar/Shabbaton in Borjomi.
The Kindergarten Tiferet Tzvi was opened in 2002.
In 2001 Rav Avimelech Rosenblat and his wife Julia are joined by Rav Yizchak Shayaev and wife Rina, and in 2003 by Rav Yosef Manusharov and his wife Chana. The programs continue to expand. Begin its functioning the RABBANIM program, which allows to assist communities of Gori and Kutaisi by sending them chazzanim and shochtim.
In 2004 opens the Kollel of Tbilis, with the assistance of Vaad L’Hotzalas and Ner LeElef. R’Yakov and his wife Tzipora, R’Asael Mirte and his wife Dina and soon after R’Aron Mdinaradze and his wife Dayana and R’Roshel with his wife Perla arrive to join the Kollel. Rav Yosef Manusharov becomes the Rosh Kollel.
Every day there are shiurim in the shuls, there are various daily shiurim at any time of day and evening, on all the levels.
In 2005 we opened an intellectual club for Jewish youth and students with monthly competitions among teams.
Tiferet Tzvi cooperates with many other JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY – Joint, Sochnut, Hillel, Israel Cultural Center, conduct joined Seminars, co-head projects, supervise kashrus at “Chesed” and on Jewish Seminars.
As you see, Tiferet Tzvi is a multifaceted organization involved in every aspect of Jewish life in Georgia.
