Georgia Kulashi Georgian Jews Synagogue Jewish Torah scroll 16th century

Kulashi is a small town located at Colchis lowland, 5 km away from Samtredia. It was first mentioned in historical sources in the 16th century. There was a Feudal Castle of Miqeladzes family in the village. For many years it has been home to one of the biggest Georgian Jewish communities. Nowadays, in the town, complex of three synagogues (one from the 18th century and two from the 20th century) and an old Jewish cemetery are retained. There is also a Museum of Georgian – Jewish friendship where you can admire the rich collection of photos and memorabilia depicting everyday life of Kulashi Diaspora, the menorah, photos of rabbis, books and manuscripts in Hebrew, right next to Georgian flags, typical Georgian drinking horns for wine and inscriptions in the Georgian language. A playwright Guram Batiashvili and the Israelian politician Ephraim Guri were born in Kulashi.