Tens of thousands gather in Ukraine for Rosh Hashana

UMAN: Tens of thousands of Hasidic Jews gathered in the Ukrainian city of Uman for their annual pilgrimage despite authorities asking them to skip the trip because of the war.

Hasidic Jewish pilgrims come to Uman from all over the world to visit the tomb of one of the main figures of Hasidic Judaism for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.

The central Ukrainian city of Uman is relatively far from the frontline, but Ukrainian and Israeli authorities have urged worshippers to skip the celebrations taking place between Sep 25 and 27 this year.

But despite the warnings, crowds of Hasidim dressed in traditional black clothing gathered in Uman celebrated in the streets.

This is the most important day of the year to connect with God. One pilgrim, Aaron Allen, told AFP that this is a great place to visit.

Pilgrims often cite a religious text from Rabbi Nachman, founder of an ultra-Orthodox movement who died in the city in 1810, in which he promised to save worshippers from hell if they came to visit his tomb on Rosh Hashana.

There were sirens but we know what to do when we come from Israel to sirens. Allen, a 48-year-old doctor from Yad Binyamin, said we felt pretty safe.

The police set up a wide perimeter to access the area around the grave, checking IDs and only letting through residents and Hasidim.

The police spokeswoman Zoya Vovk told AFP that it was forbidden to sell not only alcohol, fireworks and firecrackers, but even toy guns during the festivities in Uman.

A curfew is in place between 11 pm and 5 pm.

The shrine that was housed the tomb was buzzing with celebrations on Sunday despite restrictions.

Pilgrims - only men and boys - were praying, pressed against the white walls and columns of the burial place.

Hundreds of pilgrims sounded a simultaneous prayer outside the temple.

The exact number of pilgrims will not be released until the end of the festivities due to the fears of attacks from Russia.

Zoya Vovk told the AFP that there is a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and that the enemy is monitoring information.

She added that tens of thousands of pilgrims have already arrived, which is the only thing I can say.

The United Jewish Community of Ukraine NGO said more than 23,000 pilgrims had arrived in Uman.

Since the invasion began on February 24th, Uman has been hit several times by Russian strikes in central Ukraine.