Uman (archives)
צילום: רויטרס
Israelis take over apartments in Uman
Flats rented out to pilgrims flocking to Rabbi Nachman's grave. Price of small flat in Ukrainian city ranges from $5,000 to $9,000; luxury apartment costs $30,000
Some 500 Israelis have purchased apartments in the Ukrainian city of Uman over the past year, which are being used as guestrooms for Israeli pilgrims.
The price of an apartment stretching over 30 to 40 square meters (323 to 430 square feet) in Uman ranges from $5,000 to $9,000. A luxury apartment costs $30,000. Rent prices have increased over the past few years to approximately $200 per flat for four to five days.
A market study conducted by the haredi advertising company Gal-Oren BSD estimates that 13,000 Israelis will travel to Uman this year ahead of the holiday of Rosh Hashana in order to visit Rabbi Nachman's grave.
An estimated rise of 3% to 5% is noted every year in the number of Israelis traveling to Uman ahead of the Jewish New Year. The study also revealed that 10% of the Israelis leaving for Uman were not religious.
A number of haredi real estate agents arrive in the city every year a month before Rosh Hashana in order to prepare a "stock" of apartments for rent.
