The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Hasidic pilgrims to refrain from visiting Uman during the Rosh Hashanah celebrations this year.
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel.
The reason for this request is the ongoing full-scale military aggression by Russia, which poses real threats to the lives and safety of individuals, making it impossible to ensure the safety of foreign citizens in Ukraine.
In the event of a decision to proceed with the pilgrimage despite the warnings, Hasidim should consider the current state of martial law in Ukraine, which includes several restrictions: curfew, limitations on mass gatherings, increased patrols, and enforcement measures for those who violate these restrictions.
Additional factors that may complicate the stay of pilgrims include:
- Insufficient shelter facilities;
- Overloaded transport routes and possible delays due to shelling;
- Limited medical service resources;
- Possible introduction of additional entry and stay regulations in Ukraine, such as online registration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends taking these circumstances into account when planning a trip to Ukraine.
In 2024, the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, will be celebrated from the evening of October 2 to the evening of October 4. On this day, the Jewish community celebrates the beginning of the year 5785 according to the Jewish calendar.
According to Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, despite the Israeli government's warnings, pilgrims still plan to arrive in Uman for Rosh Hashanah. The number of pilgrims is expected to be twice as many as last year.
