Thousands of Jewish pilgrims have flocked to Ukraine to celebrate Rosh Hashana in the town of Uman, despite official warnings about security risks amidst the ongoing war with Russia. The air in Uman is filled with prayer chants and the sounds of traditional ram’s horns as pilgrims gather to mark the Jewish new year. This annual event sees the transformation of Uman, located 200 kilometers south of Kyiv, as the streets are adorned with Hebrew signs for the pilgrims who come to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman, a prominent figure in the Hasidic movement.
Despite concerns raised by Ukrainian and Israeli diplomats regarding the security threat, a reported 35,000 pilgrims made the journey to Uman this year, matching the numbers from previous years. Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, a prominent figure in Ukraine’s Jewish community, has been vocal about advising international pilgrims against visiting Ukraine due to safety concerns but acknowledged that many still chose to make the pilgrimage despite the potential risks.
The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, continues to escalate with the Russian army launching daily barrages of drones and missiles, leaving no region completely safe. Active combat persists along a 1,000-kilometer front, with recent territorial gains by Russian forces including the capture of the city of Vuhledar. Nachman Shitrit, an 18-year-old from Haifa, Israel, shared that the conflict in Ukraine did not deter him from making the pilgrimage, highlighting that conflict exists in his home country as well.
This year’s pilgrimage posed additional challenges due to the war and conflicts in the Middle East. The closure of Ukraine’s air space since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022 forced visitors to travel overland via other European countries to reach Uman. The United Jewish Community of Ukraine reported that over 14,000 pilgrims were unable to travel to Uman this year, partly due to Iran’s recent attack on Israel. Despite the difficulties, pilgrims like Meir Shpanier from Tel Aviv expressed the significance of the journey, with some having to travel through multiple countries to reach their destination.
The resilience and devotion of the Jewish pilgrims who made the journey to Uman this year highlight the importance of faith and tradition in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflicts, the pilgrims remain steadfast in their commitment to observe Rosh Hashana and honour the traditions that have been passed down through generations.