The Appeal of 18 Georgian Families: Interviews with Key Figures

The GJews media project, developed by EAJC's partner—the Georgian Jewry Development Fund—has released an interview with the signatories of the Letter of the 18 Georgian Jewish Families.

"We believe our prayers have reached Heaven. We know our appeals will reach mankind. For we ask but little: let us go to the land of our ancestors..." wrote 18 Georgian Jews in a letter that could easily have become their death warrant. However, the petition reached its recipients, was translated into multiple languages, and appeared in major global newspapers. It was read aloud in Jewish homes and at demonstrations supporting the right of Soviet Jews to repatriate.

Deeply moved by this courageous declaration, the Knesset and the Israeli government, led by Golda Meir, decided to launch an open campaign for the right of Soviet Jews to establish Aliyah.

Prior to this event, official Israeli authorities had refrained from overt action in hopes of restoring relations with the Soviet Union.

Listen to the account of those directly involved in the events that led eighteen Jewish families out of the Soviet Union in 1971. Remember and share the story of the 18 Georgian Jews who stood united in pursuit of their ultimate goal—reunification with their people.