The first Hasidic pilgrims arrived in Uman on the eve of Rosh Hashanah
The first Hasidic pilgrims began arriving in Uman on the eve of the Rosh Hashanah celebration. Some pilgrims arrive early to prepare for the holiday, visit Rabbi Nachman’s grave, and settle into their accommodations.
Pilgrims can already be seen around town in grocery and hardware stores, on the streets, in parks, and near the pilgrimage neighborhood. Among the first to arrive are many women with children.
Traditionally, the largest number of Hasidic pilgrims arrives in Uman closer to the start of Rosh Hashanah. At the same time, some people arrive earlier.
The first pilgrims usually take care of practical matters: they check their accommodations, make minor repairs, buy groceries, and prepare to welcome family and guests.
Iryna Rybnytska, executive director of the charitable organization “Uman Historical and Cultural Center Foundation,” Iryna Rybnytska, in an exclusive interview with “Kommersant Ukrainian,” explained that those pilgrims who arrive in Uman early are primarily those who own their own homes in the city or have rented accommodations in advance.
“Currently, the pilgrims arriving in the city are those who have their own homes in Uman or who traditionally arrive early to prepare their accommodations for the holiday. They are busy with repairs, grocery shopping, and getting settled,” noted Iryna Rybnytska.
This year, among the first pilgrims arriving in Uman on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, there are noticeably many women with children.
They arrive in the city in advance to visit Rabbi Nachman’s grave on the eve of the holiday and then return home.
For many families, such a trip holds special spiritual significance, as Uman is one of the main pilgrimage sites for the Bratslav Hasidim.
Source: “Kommersant Ukrainian”
As a reminder, Ukraine is stepping up security ahead of the Hasidim’s arrival for Rosh Hashanah.
Pilgrims are expected to arrive in Uman on September 11–13 to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Local authorities are already coordinating security measures, medical services, and transportation, taking into account the conditions of martial law.
On July 29, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Hasidic pilgrims to take security risks into account when traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah celebrations. The ministry emphasized that due to Russia’s ongoing massive missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, it is impossible to guarantee the complete safety of foreign citizens on Ukrainian territory.
