According to estimates by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, more than 30,000 Hasidic pilgrims intend to travel to Uman in the Cherkasy region for Rosh Hashanah.
“Despite strong recommendations that pilgrims refrain as much as possible from making the pilgrimage to Uman—given the war, the regular heavy shelling of our country, and possible provocations from Russia—the Hasidim view this journey as their religious duty. Naturally, the arrival of such a large number of pilgrims in a country at war requires serious security, logistical, medical, and other measures on the part of government agencies,” according to a statement from the State Ethnic Policy Service’s press office following a meeting of the working group, in which Iryna Rybnytska, executive director of the “Uman Historical and Cultural Center” Charitable Foundation, participated.
It is noted that representatives of city and regional authorities, law enforcement agencies, border guards, diplomats, and customs officials have confirmed their readiness to receive more than 30,000 pilgrims.
“The top priorities currently being addressed are the procedures for entry and registration, ensuring the safety of pilgrims, improving the neighborhood’s infrastructure, living conditions, and meals for pilgrims, as well as creating dignified conditions for them to express their religious sentiments,” the agency added.
According to the report, Uman Mayor Iryna Pletnyova noted that it is practically impossible to provide shelters from shelling for such a large number of people, especially when they are concentrated in a relatively small area.
“However, both central and local authorities have gained significant experience in organizing the pilgrimage and have managed to resolve issues that seemed insurmountable,” the statement reads.
This year, the “Uman City Historical and Cultural Center Charitable Foundation” set up a website and a hotline for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman, through which information is provided about the pilgrimage’s specifics and rules of stay, and round-the-clock support is offered.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, celebrated for two consecutive days on the new moon of the autumn month of Tishrei according to the Jewish calendar. From this day, the days of the new Jewish year begin to be counted.
As previously reported, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Hasidim refrain from visiting Uman, but stated that it was taking steps to strengthen security measures.