In Uman, Cherkasy region, in the central part of Ukraine, officials met with representatives of Jewish charitable foundations to discuss the preservation of historical monuments, including the heritage of the Breslov Hasidim. The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine reported on the working trip of the First Deputy Minister of Culture Ivan Verbytsky on October 16, 2026.
Author: Elena Gunko
Behind this discussion lies a very specific problem: Rabbi Nachman’s grave has already received state protection status, but disputes continue over the use of adjacent lands. The October report from the ministry does not indicate that these disputes have been resolved.
Who the Ministry of Culture representative met with
Verbytsky visited the state reserve “Old Uman” and spoke with its director, Vladislav Davidyuk. They discussed the restoration of monuments, the development of the reserve, and museum work.
Separately, he met with the head of the Uman district military administration Igor Miklashchuk, Deputy Mayor Oleg Ganich, and representatives of two funds — the International Charitable Foundation named after Rabbi Nachman and the “Historical and Cultural Center of the City of Uman”.
The district military administration is a local government body operating under martial law in Ukraine. Its participation in the meeting does not imply the transfer of religious objects under military control.
According to the ministry, the protection of urban monuments and cooperation with religious organizations were discussed. However, specific agreements, budgets, and restoration timelines were not published by the department. The list of Jewish historical sites where work is planned was also not named.
Why it’s not just about Rabbi Nachman’s grave
Rabbi Nachman (1772–1810) founded Breslov Hasidism — a religious movement named after the city of Breslov in modern-day Ukraine. His followers revere Nachman as a tzadik — a righteous person and spiritual mentor.
He died in Uman and was buried in the Jewish cemetery. According to Hasidic tradition, the rabbi himself chose the burial site next to Jews killed during the capture of the city by rebels in 1768.
The tragedy occurred during the Koliyivshchyna — an 18th-century uprising accompanied by mass killings of Jews and Poles.
On July 2, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine granted Rabbi Nachman’s grave at 1 Hryhoriya Kosynky Street the status of a national monument.
The decision itself, its legal significance, and the history of the burial were covered in a separate article by NANews.
However, state protection of the grave does not mean that the entire territory of the old Jewish cemetery automatically received the same status. Questions remain about the boundaries of protection zones, the permissibility of construction, and the preservation of historical burials.
NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency
Hotel near the shrine and legal dispute
In December 2024, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine announced violations during the construction of a hotel near Rabbi Nachman’s grave. The department refused to approve the project for a five-story building.
The dispute continued in the legal arena.
The court ruling of June 11, 2026, examines materials concerning the plot at 20 Kosynky Street, located in the protection zone of the monument.
The document provides conclusions from an archaeological examination, according to which an archaeological heritage site was previously located on the plot. However, the court ruling does not establish that it specifically concerns Jewish burials.
The court denied the prosecutor’s request to seize the property, considering the need for such a restriction insufficiently justified. This is a procedural decision that does not definitively establish the legality or illegality of the construction.
The Ministry of Culture did not specify whether the hotel issue was raised during the October meeting.
Why this story concerns Israel and the USA
The issue of preserving historical burials has been discussed before.
On May 28, 2026, Ivan Verbytsky met with a delegation from the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn from New York. They discussed the legal protection of cemeteries and memorial areas in Uman.
For Israel, Uman is primarily associated with the annual pilgrimage of Breslov Hasidim on Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year. Followers of Rabbi Nachman strive to celebrate the holiday near the grave of their spiritual teacher.
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in September 2026, about 50,000 pilgrims from various countries, including Israel, arrived for the celebration.
Due to Ukraine’s closed airspace, pilgrims primarily travel through neighboring countries. However, ensuring security during several festive days does not solve the year-round problems of preserving the cemetery and adjacent historical areas.
During the October visit, Verbytsky also discussed the preparation of documents for the possible inclusion of the “Sofiyivka” park in the UNESCO World Heritage list. This is a separate project, not related to granting a similar status to Rabbi Nachman’s grave.
As a result of the trip, the ministry has not yet announced the start of new restoration work, allocation of funds, or revision of protection zones. The practical outcome of the negotiations can be assessed after the appearance of specific decisions and documents.