Eng
Esp

Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

23,000 Hasidic Jews make traditional Ukraine pilgrimage despite war

byZarina Zabrisky
28/09/2022
2 minute read
Hasidic jews Uman
In 2022, 23,000 Hasidic Jews flocked to the central-Ukrainian city of Uman despite Russia’s war. Photo: Ukrinform
23,000 Hasidic Jews make traditional Ukraine pilgrimage despite war


Hasidic Jews celebrated Rosh Hashanah to the sounds of an air raid siren in Uman. According to RFE/RL, more than 23,000 pilgrims arrived from Israel, the US, UK, and France in 2022 despite the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Pilgrims flock to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the founding father of the Breslov Hasidic movement. The grandson of the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Nachman was buried in Uman, at a local Jewish cemetery, in 1810.

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1574892079355920384

Following a decade-long tradition, the Breslov Hasidic Jews come to worship every year.

Hasidic jews Uman
The entrance to Rabbi Nachman’s grave on 27 September 2022. Photo by Zarina Zabrisky.

The local authorities, police, Ukrainian military, and a special NGO work hard on making sure the celebration goes smoothly.

Hasidic jews Uman pilgrimage
Vul. Pushkina. Uman. Photo by Zarina Zabrisky.

Oleksandr Benjamin Khmara, the head of Magen NGO in charge of communication and security and the shooting instructor of the Ukrainian army, spoke to Euromaidan Press about this year’s hopes and fears.

Explaining the necessity of the curfew and no alcohol rules to the pilgrims were among the main challenges. Of special concern was the chance of a Kremlin’s provocation in support of Putin’s “de-nazification” narrative.

These provocations had a chance of materializing: the Ukrainian media Babel, citing its sources in Ukrainian intelligence, reported that on 27 September, Russian troops purposefully launched Shahed-136 Iranian kamikaze drones towards central-Ukrainian Uman to attack Hasidic Jewish. According to the media, these acts of terrorism were part of Iran’s conditions for supplying the drones to Russia.

However, Ukrainian air defense shot them down and the only real threat during the celebration were the air raids.

The sound of sirens mixed with religious singing and chants.

Hasidic jews Uman pilgrimage
Vul. Pushkina. Uman. Photo by Zarina Zabrisky.

The local residents spoke warmly and with respect about the festivities. A woman who fled Kharkiv’s bombardment and currently stays in Uman, in an interview, said that the more people pray for peace, no matter what faith, the better it is.

Hasidic jews Uman pilgrimage
Vul. Pushkina. Uman. Photo by Zarina Zabrisky.
Hasidic jews Uman pilgrimage
Vul. Pushkina. Uman. Photo by Zarina Zabrisky.

“We have the victory already. We just need to receive it,” said Oleksandr Benjamin Khmara, as he also thanked everyone who is praying for Ukraine.

 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!