Jewish pilgrims journey to Ukraine, from one conflict to a different

Like 1000’s of different pilgrims, Rony Eli-Ya travelled from his residence in Israel to the Ukrainian metropolis of Uman this week for Rosh Hashanah, one of the necessary holidays within the Jewish calendar.

The town has been a web site of worship for over 200 years, however with Russia’s ongoing invasion and airways cancelling flights on account of rising tensions within the Center East, the journey has grow to be even more durable.

With Iran having fired ballistic missiles at Israel, whose troopers have been concerned in clashes with militant group Hezbollah in south Lebanon, Eli-Ya mentioned he was undecided how he would return to his residence close to Tel Aviv.

“We now really feel that we will be unable to return to Israel in any respect,” the 37-year-old mentioned.

This yr, greater than 30,000 Orthodox Jewish pilgrims are thought to have congregated in Uman, residence to the burial place of Hasidic Jewish chief Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.

Crowds of pilgrims lined the streets of the small metropolis some 300 kilometres (190 miles) from the frontline, a lot of them reciting prayers and carrying kippahs or hats.

“We really feel conflict right here, and there,” mentioned Eli-Ya, who mentioned he goes to Uman yearly.

“However we consider that each missile has its handle,” he mentioned. “If it ought to fall close to me, it is future.”

– ‘Holy day’ –

A present Israeli soldier, who wished to stay nameless, instructed AFP he was visiting on go away.

“The commander gave me 72 hours to go to Ukraine for the celebration and to return to battle,” he mentioned. “It is a holy day for us.”

“Up to now, greater than 30,000 pilgrims have already arrived in Uman,” Iryna Rybnytska from the Historic Cultural Heart of Uman instructed AFP. “However the precise quantity might be identified tomorrow.”

A lot of police and ambulances have been dispatched for the two-day vacation, which marks the Jewish New 12 months.

For the third yr operating, authorities had requested the pilgrims to not come, stating that their gatherings violate the war-time restrictions that Ukrainians should comply with.

This yr 16 Israeli law enforcement officials arrived in Uman to assist preserve order, police spokeswoman Zoya Vovk instructed AFP.

“They assist translate and convey info from the Ukrainian police to the pilgrims,” she mentioned.

“This consists of details about compliance with curfew guidelines, compliance with air raid siren guidelines, and different points that have to be communicated to pilgrims,” she added.

In April final yr, a Russian missile strike on an condominium block within the metropolis killed 23 individuals.

However Eli-Ya mentioned he was not afraid.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he mentioned — besides God.

“I am afraid of God,” he added.