Thousands of Hasidic Jews defy travel warnings by making New Year pilgrimage to war-torn Ukraine
- Pilgrims are travelling from Israel, the US, and other countries to Uman, a Ukrainian city that features the burial site of the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement
- Earlier this month, the Ukraine embassy in Israel urged those intending to travel for the pilgrimage not to
The pilgrims are travelling from Israel, the US, and other countries to Uman, a central Ukrainian city that features the burial site of the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, the newspaper reported.
Since 1811, ultraorthodox Jews have travelled to Uman around the time of Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year 5783), which starts at sundown on Sunday, to pray at the grave of the revered rabbi, Nachman of Breslov.
In usual years, tens of thousands go. This year, fewer are expected to make the trip, but some 4,000 Israeli pilgrims have already arrived, according to estimates by a spokesperson for Israeli’s foreign ministry, per The Times. This number is likely to rise to 5,000 or more, the spokesperson said, according to the paper.
In another warning, Ukraine’s embassy in Israel asked prospective pilgrims to “pray that peace will return to Ukraine” instead of going to Uman for the Jewish New Year.
Russia vows ‘full protection’ to any areas annexed in Ukraine
Nevertheless, those who are already in the country told Israeli news media that they could hardly feel the effects of war.
A Jewish tourist in Uman, identified only as Koller, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: “Anyway, do you see any Russian missiles? Everything is fine here. In the evening, we have our curfew, from 11 to 5, and that is it.”
Central Ukraine, The Times noted, is not currently as dangerous as cities in the east. However, Israeli and Ukrainian officials have warned that there have been missile strikes in the area in recent weeks, The Times said.
