The Ukrainian city of Uman is an important place of pilgrimage for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Despite warnings from authorities about the war, some 23,000 Hasidic people travel to Rabbi Nachman’s grave to celebrate the New Year. “We are used to sirens,” says an Israeli pilgrim. “We feel quite safe.”
Tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews have gathered for an annual pilgrimage in the Ukrainian city of Uman amid Russian war of aggression. For security reasons, the Ukrainian police did not want to publish exact numbers of pilgrims. However, the United Jewish Community of Ukraine stated that 23,000 pilgrims had come. The believers wanted to celebrate the new year Rosh Hashanah in Uman.
Every year on the Jewish New Year, Hasidic Jews from all over the world come to the city to visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman, the founder of the ultra-Orthodox movement. The central Ukrainian city is relatively far away from the front. But both Ukrainian and Israeli authorities had urged believers to skip the September 25-27 celebrations this year.
But despite the warnings, many Hasids came to Uman in traditional black clothing and celebrated in the streets. Pilgrim Aaron Allen told AFP it is “the most important day of the year to connect with God and this is a great place to do it.” He heard sirens, but as Israelis “we’re used to sirens, we know what to do. We feel pretty safe,” said the 48-year-old.
The police cordoned off the area over a large area and only allowed access to residents and pilgrims. The sale of alcohol, fireworks and toy guns was banned. A night curfew was also imposed.