Gadyach
Gadyach is a pilgrimage center for the Lubavitcher Hasidim—also known as Chabadniks—followers of the Chabad movement founded by Shneur Zalman, the Alter Rebbe.
Although Chabad was founded by a native of Lubavich, it is Gadyach that has become sacred to Chabadniks, as it is here that the founder, the Alter Rebbe, is buried. Shneur Zalman also bequeathed that he be buried in the town of Gadyach, although he died near a village in the Belovsky District of the Kursk Region in the Russian Federation.
The “Admor-a-Zaken” Hasidic center is known throughout the world and is one of the nine mandatory sites for Hasidim to visit. The first buildings began to appear in 1991.
19 Kislev 5772 (December 4, 2012), the “Admor-a-Zaken” center was inaugurated; the opening was timed to coincide with the anniversary of Shneur Zalman’s release from the Petrograd Fortress in St. Petersburg.
The center was built thanks to the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, with funding from philanthropists, the primary among whom was the George Ror family, who reside in the United States.
An old Jewish cemetery is located nearby. It was established in 1810, and the last known burial took place in 1939. Buried in the cemetery is the renowned tzaddik Alter Rebbe (Shneur Zalman of Liadi)—the founder of the Chabad movement.
Many people from all over the world travel to the tzaddik’s grave. The main goal of the Admor-a-Zaken Center is to provide all the necessary conditions for prayer and spiritual enlightenment for pilgrims.
To this end, all structures have been built in accordance with religious and building codes. Visitors can stay in comfortable rooms and dine at a luxurious restaurant.
How to get to “Admor Azaken”
The Hasidic center is located in Hadyach, Poltava Oblast, at 23 Alter Rebbe Square. (31 Pushkin Street, Hadyach, Poltava Oblast, 37300)
This is on the southern outskirts of the city, near parkland and wooded areas at the foot of a hill where the Psyl River flows.
Tel.: 380990141015 (Reception)
Tel. 38050960800 Director: Rostyslav Vasylovych Bakalyuk.