Uman Travel – Історико-культурний центр в місті Умань

01

A historic event

In the mid-to-late 18th century, Uman was one of the best-fortified strongholds in the Podillia region. For this reason, many Jews found refuge in Uman during the infamous Haidamak Uprising of 1768
In late June 1768, hordes of Haidamaks led by Ivan Gonta entered the city. They brutally murdered every Jew in their path. Most of the remaining Jews fled to Uman’s main synagogue. All of them—including women, children, and the elderly—were brutally tortured and killed over the course of three days: June 21, 22, June 23, 1768 (corresponding to the 6th, 7th, and 8th of Tammuz 5528 in the Jewish calendar). Thousands of innocent victims were killed by Gonta and his troops

02

An Outstanding Figure

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (April 4, 1772 – October 16, 1810) was one of the most prominent early Hasidic masters and a direct descendant of the Baal Shem Tov—the founder of Hasidism
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov was a great rabbi, leader, and thinker whose teachings continue to inspire and guide many Jews around the world to this day
During his lifetime, Rabbi Nachman repeatedly expressed his desire to be buried among the victims of the Uman massacre. He said that their resting place was particularly holy because they had been killed for their faith in the Almighty
After the rabbi’s death on October 16, 1810, he was buried between two mass graves of victims of the Haidamaks

03

Place of pilgrimage

Judaism teaches that praying at the grave of a righteous person holds special significance. It is customary to pray at the graves of the righteous on the anniversary of their death, as well as during times of personal or societal crisis
Rabbi Nachman expressed his wish that his Hasidim come to pray at his grave every Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year
This tradition began immediately after Rabbi Nachman’s death and continues to this day. Even during the Communist regime, people risked their freedom to pray at Rabbi Nachman’s grave on Rosh Hashanah

04

Historical Heritage

During the Nazi occupation and the Soviet era, the cemetery was looted, the headstones were smashed and removed, and small private houses were built over the graves
Rabbi Nachman’s grave survived, but a private house was built right next to it (the outer wall of the house abutted the edge of the grave)
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, President Leonid Kravchuk initiated the process of returning the cemetery to the Jewish community, but this process was never completed
In recent years, developers have begun buying up land in the cemetery and constructing high-rise buildings. These structures violate both Ukrainian law and international agreements
Human remains have been found on these illegal construction sites on multiple occasions

Official Guide and Support for Pilgrims in Uman