Record Numbers Flock to Uman for Rosh Hashanah Amid Ukraine War
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Over 65,000 worshippers, including Israeli politicians and celebrities, attended Rosh Hashanah celebrations in Uman, Ukraine, despite the ongoing war. The event saw record numbers and inflated prices, with the presence of Israeli draft dodgers also noted.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Record 65,000+ pilgrims attended Rosh Hashanah in Uman, Ukraine.
- Attendees included politicians, celebrities, and draft dodgers.
- The ongoing war in Ukraine did not deter pilgrims.
- Prices for accommodation and services saw significant increases.
- Israeli draft dodgers received support before returning home.
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, a record-breaking number of over 65,000 worshippers gathered in Uman, Ukraine, to mark Rosh Hashanah at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. The pilgrims included politicians, celebrities, a Lithuanian yeshiva dean, and even draft dodgers from the IDF.
The Rosh Hashanah events in Uman, considered one of the largest Jewish festivals globally, have expanded beyond the Breslov Hasidic movement to attract various communities. Notably, a dean from a Lithuanian yeshiva, typically opposed to such gatherings, attended after his institution received tens of millions of dollars in donations to alleviate its debts. Among the attendees were Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar and several Knesset members.
The surge in visitors significantly inflated prices for accommodation and services. Hotels charged up to 50,000 shekels for a couple during the holiday, and dormitory beds in shared rooms reached $1,000. Food complexes offered subsidized and sometimes free meals to the celebrants.
A prominent phenomenon this year was the presence of Israeli draft dodgers who managed to leave Israel despite outstanding arrest warrants. Before their return flights, an information session was organized for them in Uman regarding their situation upon arrival in Israel.
Estimates suggest that visitor numbers to Uman will surge even further once the war between Ukraine and Russia concludes, potentially breaking new records. However, it remains uncertain if the conflict will end before next year's Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage.
