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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.<\/p>\r\n
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\u201cDespite strong recommendations that pilgrims refrain as much as possible from making the pilgrimage to Uman\u2014given the war, the regular heavy shelling of our country, and possible provocations from Russia\u2014the 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,\u201d according to a statement from the State Ethnic Policy Service\u2019s press office<\/a> following a meeting of the working group, in which Iryna Rybnytska, executive director of the \u201cUman Historical and Cultural Center\u201d Charitable Foundation, participated.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \u201cThe top priorities currently being addressed are the procedures for entry and registration, ensuring the safety of pilgrims, improving the neighborhood\u2019s infrastructure, living conditions, and meals for pilgrims, as well as creating dignified conditions for them to express their religious sentiments,\u201d the agency added.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \u201cHowever, both central and local authorities have gained significant experience in organizing the pilgrimage and have managed to resolve issues that seemed insurmountable,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n This year, the \u201cUman City Historical and Cultural Center Charitable Foundation\u201d set up a website and a hotline for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman, through which information is provided about the pilgrimage\u2019s specifics and rules of stay, and round-the-clock support is offered.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n