More than 31,000 Hasidim have already arrived in Ukraine for Rosh Hashanah, according to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
More than 31,000 Hasidic pilgrims have already crossed the Ukrainian border, arriving in Ukraine on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. Border guards have recorded the sharpest increase in the flow of pilgrims over the past three days.
The first organized groups of Hasidic pilgrims began arriving in Ukraine as early as the 20s of August. Initially, the flow was relatively small: on some days, several hundred pilgrims crossed the border, while on others, only a few dozen.
A significant increase in the number of people entering Ukraine has occurred over the past three days.
Specifically, 11,600 Hasidic pilgrims arrived in Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday.
Over the past 24 hours, 13,700 people crossed the border into Ukraine.
“Over the past three days, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people arriving in Ukraine,” Demchenko noted.
According to him, a significant number of pilgrims are also expected today.
Andriy Demchenko emphasized that this trend has been observed in previous years as well, ahead of major pilgrimages.
Pilgrims usually arrive in Ukraine in organized groups, which explains the sharp increase in the number of border crossings on certain days.
In 2026, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will begin at sunset on Friday, September 11, and end on the evening of Sunday, September 13.
According to the Jewish calendar, the holiday falls on the 1st–2nd of Tishrei 5787.
One of the most famous places to celebrate Rosh Hashanah outside of Israel is Uman in the Cherkasy region.
Every year, Bratslav Hasidim travel to the city to celebrate the Jewish New Year at the grave of Rabbi Nachman, the founder of the Bratslav Hasidic dynasty.
That is why, on the eve of the holiday, thousands of pilgrims traditionally arrive in Uman, and Ukrainian border guards report a significant increase in passenger traffic at the border during this period.
This was reported by Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish communities in Ukraine have begun a large-scale distribution of holiday food packages to tens of thousands of Jews amid intensifying shelling. Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU) is delivering kosher food items to communities, including honey, meat, poultry, dairy products, and canned goods.
Israel Railways will implement a special train schedule for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. On Friday, September 11, the day before the holiday, trains will run approximately from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the number of trips between Haifa and Tel Aviv will be increased.
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