Temporary upgrades underway at Rabbi Nachman’s grave in Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah

Preparations for the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman, where tens of thousands of Breslov Hasidim are expected to gather, have been underway for some time. The expanded team of Uman Breslov Union, led by Rabbi Natan Ben Nun, began coordinating with local and national authorities in Ukraine at the start of winter 5786.

A major renovation project at Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s gravesite had been announced about a year ago, and many worshippers had been waiting for work to begin. However, construction has still not started because of legal and bureaucratic delays, as the site is a national heritage location and any alteration requires special approvals. Some of the engineering checks needed for those approvals involve digging in the cemetery, which has complicated efforts to preserve the dignity of the old burial ground.

In the meantime, Uman Breslov Union and a group of Breslov craftsmen who volunteered their labor have begun temporary refurbishment and beautification work at the site before Rosh Hashanah. The group says this is only a stopgap measure, but one intended to improve conditions for visitors until all permits for the full renovation are secured.

The organization said the interim work is not a substitute for the large-scale project, which it hopes to start as soon as possible. It said that since last Rosh Hashanah, staff have been making round-the-clock trips, holding meetings with government officials, and coordinating with all relevant bodies in Ukraine. The effort has cost more than 1 million shekels so far, while public donations total about 500,000 shekels. The money has gone toward architectural plans, top-tier engineers, permit requests, and legal coordination, with the aim of building the site safely while fully respecting the graves of those buried in the Uman cemetery.