UMAN: “We Cannot Guarantee Their Safety,” Says Uman’s Mayor

By: Yitzy Fried 

As the weeks approaching Rosh Hashanah continue to pass, anticipation remains high among Breslover chassidim that they will be able to gather in Uman at the kever of Rebbe Nachman. 

However, it seems that every few days brings another message from Ukrainian authorities on whether this will be permitted—as the country remains under Russian bombardment. 

Tuesday, Iryna Pletnyova, the mayor of Uman, was interviewed by the Times of Israel¸ at which time she threw cold water upon these hopes. “My position is that people need to be safe,” she told the newspaper. “And at the moment, this neighborhood that usually hosts the festivities doesn’t have enough bomb shelters. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the complete safety of the pilgrims if they come in.”

While Ukraine has its airports closed, the land borders remain open. Many have traveled in and out through the neighboring countries, despite the arduous journey—one that thousands are prepared to make. It remains to be seen whether this avenue will be permitted by authorities.