Ukraine bans annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman due to pandemic
A letter from the government said the decision ‘has nothing to do with politics and antisemitism’, while urging Israeli officials understand and agree with the move
The tens of thousands of Jewish pilgrims who travel each year to Ukraine for a Rosh Hashanah rite will have to make different plans for September.
The Ukrainian government has barred the trip to Uman, where the revellers mark the Jewish New Year at the burial site of an 18th century rabbi, saying concerns over the spread of the coronavirus was too great, the Hebrew-language website Beharedi Charedim first reported.
The pilgrimage has created frequent friction between the predominantly Israeli pilgrims and locals, many of whom resent the cordoning off of neighbourhoods by police.
A letter from the government stopping the pilgrimage — issued after a meeting of government ministers on July 9 — said the decision “has nothing to do with politics and antisemitism.” It also said that Israeli officials understand and agree with Ukraine’s decision in light of the situation.
According to the letter, posted in its original Ukrainian on the news website, some of the reasons for barring pilgrims include the increase in cases of the coronavirus in Israel, the inability of Ukrainian hospitals to care for the foreigners, and the fact that the local police are not sufficiently prepared to enforce the guidelines of isolation, masks and social distancing.
The pilgrims visit the burial site of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who during his lifetime had called on his followers to be with him on Rosh Hashanah.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
