Rosh Hashanah 2024

According to an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Russia’s ongoing full-scale military aggression against Ukraine poses real threats to people’s lives and safety, making it impossible to guarantee the safety of foreign citizens on Ukrainian territory.

In light of this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine urges Hasidic pilgrims to refrain from this year’s pilgrimage to Uman as part of the Rosh Hashanah celebrations.

If you decide to visit Uman despite these warnings, please be aware that a legal regime of martial law is in effect in Ukraine, which entails a number of additional regulations, including: restrictions on freedom of movement, the imposition of a curfew, increased patrolling, a ban on mass events and gatherings, as well
as
the application of coercive measures against individuals who fail to comply with the established restrictions.

Other circumstances that may complicate pilgrims’ stay in Ukraine and that should be taken into account when planning trips:

• a lack of sufficient civil defense shelters to accommodate pilgrims in areas of mass gathering in the city of Uman;
• overcrowding of ground transportation links with Ukraine and possible significant delays in rail traffic due to intensive shelling of transportation infrastructure;
• a shortage of medical personnel and medical facilities in Uman to provide medical care to pilgrims;
• the possibility of introducing additional restrictions on entry (online registration) and stay for Hasidic pilgrims in Ukraine.

To ensure your safety during your stay in Uman, strict restrictions will be in place:

• A ban on mass gatherings (please refrain from forming crowds)
• Restriction of the pilgrimage area with entry checks using metal detectors and queues for access to the area (similar to airport security checks)
• Prohibition on the transport of weapons and explosives
• Prohibition on the use of pyrotechnics
• Prohibition on vehicles entering the pilgrimage area
• Ban on the sale of alcohol
• Prohibition on the sale of pyrotechnic devices, as well as air guns, knives, and toys that imitate weapons.

PLEASE NOTE that when walking on the streets or in public places, you must carry a valid form of identification (passport).

PLEASE NOTE that a curfew is in effect from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

It is prohibited to be on the streets or in other public places from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., except when proceeding to a shelter during an air raid alert.

Violators of the curfew may face administrative penalties in the form of a fine, followed by forced deportation from Ukraine and a 3-year entry ban.

PLEASE NOTE that travel within Ukraine during the “curfew” period, from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., is prohibited. The movement of vehicles not accompanied by Patrol Police or State Security Service vehicles may
be restricted.

For your convenience, please take these restrictions into account when planning your trip.