About three weeks before Rosh Hashanah, tens of thousands of Breslov Hasidim are preparing to travel to Uman for holiday prayers near the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, founder of the Hasidic movement. The revered rabbi, who died more than 200 years ago, draws tens of thousands to his grave each year after declaring during his lifetime, "My Rosh Hashanah surpasses everything."
Uman is preparing for the arrival of about 45,000 Hasidim for Rosh Hashanah in the Ukrainian city, despite the ongoing war that has made direct flights into the country impossible. It is expected to be the largest number of pilgrims to reach the city since the war in Ukraine began.
Uman last year
(Video: Uman 5786)
Preparations for the arrival of some 45,000 people in Uman — an estimated 35,000 of them from Israel — require extensive and complex international coordination. Hundreds of passenger-filled flights are expected to be spread across six main countries bordering Ukraine: Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.
Israel is also expected to assist the travelers in handling the massive flow. Under the current plan, Israel Police is expected to assign more than 40 officers to accompany the travelers and be stationed at border crossings in Ukraine and Romania, as well as in Uman itself.
The presence of Israeli police officers at these locations significantly reduces friction with local authorities. In previous years, smaller police delegations were sent, but this time the mission is considerably larger because of the focus on both Romania and Ukraine. The number could increase further if additional countries along the pilgrims' routes request reinforcements from Israel.
One notable example of the need for Israeli police at these points occurred in the past, when a well-known Israeli public figure began behaving wildly on a flight to the region. The celebrity lit a cigarette aboard the plane, sparking a major disturbance as flight attendants and other passengers tried unsuccessfully to stop him.
Israeli police officers who recognized him after landing immediately understood the sensitivity of the situation. They mediated between him and local police, calmed tensions and resolved the incident quietly, preventing it from developing into an embarrassing international episode.
Police officers will not be the only Israeli officials on hand. Dozens of Foreign Ministry diplomats will also accompany the travelers at various airports and form part of the assistance network intended to help the journey proceed without unusual incidents. The cost to Israel of supporting the Uman pilgrimage is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of shekels.
Blowing the shofar in Uman
(Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP)
Ukrainian authorities are also working to facilitate the arrival of Breslov Hasidim in Uman. This year, the Breslov Union in Uman reached an agreement with the Uman municipality under which the tourist tax will cost just $27 if paid in advance, instead of $45 upon entry to the city.
The municipality and the union also agreed on measures to streamline access to the area around Rabbi Nachman's grave and prevent overcrowding. Rabbi Natan Ben Nun, chairman of the Breslov Union, has already met with the governor of the Cherkasy region, the regional police commander and other senior officials.
The message to the Hasidic public traveling to Uman will be clear: They must follow the authorities' instructions and strictly observe curfew hours.