Debating Jewishness: Perspectives On Georgian Jewish Identity at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century

The paper aims at reconstructing the complex process of defining Jewish identity in Georgia. The study is based on the press and archival materials and examines three competing Jewish identity conceptions. The first one was elaborated by orthodox representatives of Agudath Israel who tried to maintain the traditional lifestyle of the Georgian Jewry concentrated around synagogues. They sought to keep the Georgian Jewish community separate from Ashkenazim; were loyal towards the Georgian nation and state; however they strove to maintain isolated and self-governed communal life.

The second conception was developed by Assimilationists. They claimed that Georgian Jews belonged to the Georgian nation because of historical coexistence within the Georgian cultural environment. As far as Georgians and Jews shared culture, language and lifestyle, the Assimilationists believed that Georgian Jews differed from the Orthodox Georgians only by faith.

The third conception was elaborated by Zionists. They tried to reinforce Jewish identity by teaching Hebrew, Jewish history and tradition. Considering religion as a key factor for Jewish identity they regarded Georgian Jews as part of the world Jewish Diaspora.

The first two groups shared some set of ideas. Both of them considered Georgian Jewry strongly attached to Georgia. However, Orthodox did not consider Georgian Jewry as part of the Georgian nation. Both of them opposed Zionists and regarded Zionism as incompatible and irrelevant for the Georgian Jewry. Assimilationists and Orthodox had strong sense of civic identity considering Georgia as motherland while Zionists regarded Georgia as hospitable shelter.