- September 24, 2024
- 5:47 pm
- Ukraine
On the night of September 24, 2024, hundreds of Bratslav Hasidim who intended to visit Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) received flight cancellation notices. The main reason was the actions of Wizz Air, which temporarily suspended flights to Israel amid the escalating military situation in the north of the country and the ongoing military operation called “Northern Swords.” In particular, military actions between Israel and groups in Lebanon and Syria made flights unsafe.
In addition to Wizz Air flights, flights by German airline Lufthansa and Polish LOT, which offered the most convenient routes to Europe, were also cancelled. This resulted in thousands of pilgrims who planned to travel to the holy site of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman (Cherkasy region) being blocked and unable to fly. Many Hasidim had purchased tickets in advance to countries bordering Ukraine as an alternative route, since Ukrainian airspace is closed due to the war with Russia. However, after flights to Israel were suspended due to security concerns, the plans of thousands of pilgrims were at risk of being disrupted.
The Israel Aviation Authority, together with security officials and airlines, are considering resuming flights in the near future if the security situation improves. This decision will be critical, as the main wave of pilgrims for Rosh Hashanah, which this year falls between October 2 and 4, is expected in the coming days. More than 1,500 Hasidim have already arrived in Uman, mostly women and children, who are trying to get to the holy sites early, despite the difficult transport situation.
In addition, pilgrims arriving in Uman are required to pay a tourist tax set by local authorities. In accordance with the decision of the Uman City Council dated June 26, 2021, foreign tourists must pay 5% of the minimum wage for each night of stay in the city. In 2024, this fee is UAH 355 per night per person. This fee is mandatory for everyone staying in hotels, private houses, apartments and other places of temporary residence. For tourists staying in campsites, boarding houses and similar establishments, the fee is reduced to 2.5% of the minimum wage, which is UAH 177.50 per night.
To simplify control over the payment of the tourist tax, the city has introduced a payment verification system using QR codes. Each pilgrim is required to keep the payment receipt until the end of their stay, as verification can be carried out at any time using mobile applications.
Security issues during the Rosh Hashanah celebrations are also under close scrutiny this year. From September 23 to October 8, the sale of alcoholic beverages and any alcohol-based products (except for medicines included in the state register) is prohibited in the pilgrimage zone. The sale of pyrotechnics, including fireworks and other explosive devices that create noise, as well as air guns and toys that imitate weapons, is also prohibited. These measures are introduced to prevent conflicts between pilgrims and law enforcement agencies, especially in conditions of heightened tension.
As the head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration Igor Taburets noted, security measures have been significantly tightened this year due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The main goal of these measures is to ensure full control over the safety of pilgrims under martial law. The police have stepped up patrols of the streets of Uman, all arriving vehicles and people will be checked. Special mobile patrols will monitor the observance of order at the pilgrimage sites.
Hasidim have also already begun arriving in Uman. According to Taburts, between 1,500 and 2,000 pilgrims have arrived in the city to date, the majority of whom are women and children who prefer to arrive early. The main influx of pilgrims is expected from September 29, when the main wave of Hasidim arrives in the city. The city plans to receive up to 50,000 people in total.
