Hasidic jews urged not to go to Ukraine for pilgrimage

Ukrainian local authorities urge Hasidic jews not to go to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration warns of possible provocations from Russia and shelling.

“At the same time, we understand that some believers, like last year, will still dare to come. Therefore, the security and defense sector, all specialized services, we are already working preventively together with the city government,” the Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration added.

Security measures will be strengthened. “The key priority remains the same – the safety of residents and visitors,” the representatives of local authorities say.

Earlier, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, called on Jerusalem to provide Kyiv with anti-aircraft defense to protect Jewish pilgrims.

“Thousands of [Jewish] pilgrims are expected to arrive in Uman [for the Rosh Hashana], but all the talk on green corridors is meaningless because we are unable to vouch for their security,” Yevgen Korniychuk, the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, said. 

Kyiv is looking for systems to protect against ballistic missiles – anti-aircraft defense, which will be effective against Russian weapons. “If Israel doesn’t want to help protect Ukrainians, perhaps it would like to protect its citizens?” Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel concluded.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated in the fall. This year, the pilgrims will come to Ukraine in September. Last year, 23,000 Hasidim visited the grave of the righteous rabbi (teacher) Nachman in Uman, despite warnings about the danger of staying there.