UMAN: A Ray of Hope for Kibbutz Rosh Hashanah 5783

By: Yehuda Alter 

With Rosh Hashanah in mere weeks from now, Breslover Chassidim around the world are concerned about their ability to make it to Uman this year, as they have been accustomed for decades. 

Pessimistic remarks from the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel several weeks ago did nothing to calm their fears. 

But now comes reason for cautious optimism, as remarks from Boris Tinhausen, a senior advisor to President Vladimir Zelensky, come to light. 

“For the chassidim, Rosh Hashanah is by Rebbe Nachman. The Ukrainian government should acknowledge this. They should tell the pilgrims, ‘If you want to come, sign a document acknowledging that you’re aware of the risks of entering the country during a time of war, and promise to abide by all the guidelines.”

Although Mr. Tinhausen does not set policy in Ukraine, observers note that he has the ear of the Ukrainian president, and that his sentiments most likely echo that of the president.