Preparations for Rosh Hashanah in Uman: In preparation for the trip of the Breslov Hasidim to Zion to Rabbi Nachman in Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah, a special security coordination meeting was held this week with the Border Police in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine.
The meeting, held at the district's Center for National Cultures, was intended to ensure the safety of thousands of worshippers, who will once again be forced to travel overland on arduous routes this year, due to the closure of airspace in Ukraine due to the war with Russia.
The discussion was attended by senior local government officials, representatives of the regional military administration, the top brass of the national police in the Vinnytsia region, border guard commanders, the chairman of the Breslov Union, Rabbi Nathan Ben Nun, and the rabbi of Vinnytsia, Chabad emissary Rabbi Shaul Horwitz - who has been assisting in every way he can for the Breslov Hasidim and the annual trip to Uman for many years.
According to preliminary estimates presented at the discussion, this year a surge in the number of flights is expected, with over 35,000 worshippers expected to arrive from Israel alone, in addition to thousands who will arrive from Jewish communities around the world.
After landing at airports in Moldova and Romania, the Hasidim will cross through border crossings - including the Mogilev-Podolsk border crossing.
The authorities are also preparing to receive trains loaded with worshippers arriving from Poland.
Special attention was paid to the ongoing state of war and the limitations of the Ukrainian military regime. The authorities emphasized streamlining land border crossing procedures to prevent system collapse, proper routing of road traffic, and strict maintenance of public order.
""Under martial law, the highest and foremost task is to maintain the safety of passengers," said Yulia Mandraka, deputy head of the Nationalities and Religions Department of the Military Administration. "It must be ensured that all authorities operate in full synchronization. The movement of worshippers must be organized and planned. Only joint work will make it possible to minimize risks and ensure order on the roads.".
During the meeting, the strict guidelines that worshippers must adhere to were emphasized, including observing curfew hours, during which there is a complete ban on movement on the streets at night. As well as a stern warning about the prohibition of transporting items prohibited under the emergency laws.
The chairman of the Breslav Union in Uman, Rabbi Nathan Ben Nun, thanked representatives of the government and security forces for their efforts and early preparations for absorbing the Hasidim. He promised that the Breslav Union in Uman will do everything in their power and will work on extensive outreach so that the Hasidim will strictly adhere to safety rules and move around in an orderly and responsible manner.
