Breslov Hasidim Organize Uman Near the Kinneret

Breslov Hasidim, facing difficulties with the pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine, are organizing an alternative Rosh Hashanah celebration at the 'Adama ve-Shamayim' farm near the Kinneret. Hundreds of Hasidim will gather in guest houses and tents to recreate the atmosphere of Uman. The cantor will be Rabbi Yanky Silberman, who led prayers in Uman for 20 years. Reasons include the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine, and the conscription crisis.

Breslov Hasidim, who traditionally make a pilgrimage to the Ukrainian city of Uman for Rosh Hashanah, are this year organizing an alternative celebration at the 'Adama ve-Shamayim' ('Earth and Sky') farm near the Kinneret. The reason is the growing difficulties and cost of the trip: since 2019, borders have been closed due to the coronavirus, then the Russian aggression against Ukraine began, and now many young Orthodox men cannot leave the country due to the 'conscription crisis' — draft dodgers are not allowed to leave. The organizers plan to accommodate hundreds of Hasidim in guest houses and tents. The cantor will be Rabbi Yanky Silberman, who led prayers in Uman for 20 years and is an IDF reservist. He notes that in recent years, since the start of the war on October 7, he has not traveled to Uman, was in Gaza, and returns to Lebanon after Yom Kippur. The initiator of the event, Nachman Rabani, emphasizes that they are recreating the atmosphere of Uman at the same time and with the same ceremonies. Rabbi Silberman also tells a story about rabbis who argued that the grave of Rabbi Nachman is not exactly where it is thought to be, and that the Rebbe comes to where Jews pray and cry from the heart.