Jewish pilgrims in Ukraine defy the war

Thousands of Orthodox Jews have this year again gathered in the city of Uman in central Ukraine in connection with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. The pilgrims have been warned against traveling to the site because of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities increased security ahead of this year’s Jewish holiday, while urging pilgrims to heed warnings. The festival, which lasts from Friday to Sunday, has gathered over 30,000 participants.

– There are restrictions that the pilgrims must accept if they want to come to Ukraine. These are the same as for Ukrainian citizens, says Iryna Rybnytska, director of the historical cultural center in Uman.

Uman has been a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Jews for over 200 years. Believers from all over the world travel to the site to honor Rabbi Nachman of Breslov – founder of a branch of Hasidism – who was buried there after his death in 1810.

Both the United States and Israel have urged their citizens not to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashana.

Joseph Libermensch, 53 years old and from Jerusalem, has traveled via Poland and driven ten hours from the border.

– Our family has traveled to Uman for over a hundred years, and no war can stop us, he says.