inside jewish

georgia & azerbaijan

for Bay Area young adults

September 1-9, 2025

Join JDC Entwine and the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund on this faraway journey to Georgia & Azerbaijan to experience all that the Caucasus region has to offer! Soak up a culture full of diverse languages, religious minorities, and ethnic groups while learning about the renewal of Jewish life in post-communist societies through visits to local institutions and conversations with community members.

Please Note: This trip is in partnership with the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund and is being offered exclusively to those residing in the Bay Area.

Apply Now

trip
highlights

FAQ
  • Discover the Jewish communities of Tbilisi and Gori in Georgia and Baku in Azerbaijan.
  • Engage with local community members and spend Shabbat with the Jewish community of Tbilisi.
  • Participate in home visits and deliver needed supplies to elderly community members to learn about JDC’s Hesed welfare model.
  • Spend a day at a JDC-supported community center and lead discussions for at-risk children, teens and parents served by Georgia’s Jewish Family Service.
  • Experience Georgia’s rich and unique culture and cuisine through khachapuri, wine, traditional dance and exploring Tbilisi’s cobblestone streets.
  • Explore the historic Azerbaijan’s Jewish heritage, where ancient synagogues, such as the Grand Synagogue of Baku, offer a glimpse into the vibrant Jewish history that dates back centuries.

“I rarely interact with senior citizens in my local community and this trip reminded me how important it is to make connections with every generation. I was able to see the power of Judaism and I now feel a responsibility to help other Jews around the world!”

– Past Insider Trip Participant

PARTICIPATION FEE

$1,110-$2,250 sliding scale (not including airfare)

We’re dedicated to ensuring that all members of our community have equal opportunity and access to our programs. The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund understand the financial burdens effecting many in the Bay Area Jewish Community and are offering additional subsidies to make this trip accessible for all participants. Please be in contact if the registration fee feels like a hardship.

Read more about the sliding scale fee structure within the application.

INCLUDES:

Local transportation within and between Georgia & Azerbaijan

Meals

Hotel accommodations

Site visits, briefings, tours, etc.

Medical and emergency evacuation insurance

*Please note that your participation fee does not include international airfare. Travel and cancellation insurance is required.

Trip Dates

September 1-9, 2025

Application Deadline:

May 15, 2025

APPLY NOW

About JDC

JDC (the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee or “The Joint”) is the leading Jewish humanitarian organization, working in 70 countries to lift lives and strengthen communities. We rescue Jews in danger, provide aid to vulnerable Jews, develop innovative solutions to Israel’s most complex social challenges, cultivate a Jewish future, and lead the Jewish community’s response to crises. For over 100 years, our work has put the timeless Jewish value of mutual responsibility into action, making JDC essential to the survival of millions of people and the advancement of Jewish life across the globe. Learn more at jdc.org.

About JCF

For more than a century, the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund has been a central address serving the needs of the Jewish community in the Bay Area, Israel, and around the world. As a philanthropic catalyst, we pair our deep knowledge of Jewish, local, national, and global needs with a range of giving options so you can bring your vision of tikkun olam (repairing the world) to life. We connect Bay Area Jews of all ages and backgrounds to address urgent issues, foster Jewish life, and respond to crises, aiming to create a vibrant, enduring Jewish community. Learn more at jewishfed.org

COVID-19 Protocol

The safety and security of our participants is of the utmost importance. Trip participants will agree to abide by all COVID protocols set forth by both governing bodies and JDC Entwine staff and partners. Travel always assumes some risks and participants are aware of the medical risks associated with travel. This trip is subject to COVID protocol updates, changes, and cancellation. For more information, see here.

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