Ukraine issues urgent plea to Hasidim to forgo annual Uman pilgrimage due to war

Ukraine issues an urgent request asking Jewish worshipers to opt out of the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman this year.

Ukraine’s embassy shares a message from the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration urging “Hasidim” not to come during the war.

“We recommend pilgrims to consider the security situation in our country and refrain from visiting Uman,” says oblast governor Igor Taburets. “Regular Russian attacks and damage to civilian objects, provocations are Ukrainian everyday life, unfortunately.”

The US State Department issued a travel warning in August asking citizens not to attend the annual pilgrimage to Rebbe Nachman’s grave.

“Local authorities have advised that Uman does not have enough air raid shelters to accommodate all anticipated travelers to the pilgrimage,” says the Ukrainian statement. “Ukraine remains under martial law, with curfew and movement restrictions that would also affect pilgrims to Uman.”