Remains of British Jew discovered in forest near Uman during Rosh Hashanah holiday

The remains of a British Jewish man, approximately 45 years old and a father of seven, were found in a forest near Uman bearing signs of violence. Local Jewish community members suspect murder, but Ukrainian police have not officially determined a criminal act took place. ZAKA's international division is handling the body's release and transfer for burial. The discovery occurred during the Rosh Hashanah holiday, when tens of thousands of Israelis travel to Uman annually for pilgrimage to Rabbi Nahman of Breslov's grave, despite the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. This year, the trip became sensitive amid increased enforcement against ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers.

The remains of a British Jewish man, approximately 45 years old and a father of seven, were discovered in a forest near Uman on Sunday, bearing signs of violence. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. Members of the local Jewish community suspect murder, but Ukrainian police, who are investigating the case, have not officially determined that a criminal act took place. ZAKA's international division, headed by Baruch Nidam, is handling the release of the body and its transfer for burial. Aharon Ben Harush, deputy head of the United Hatzalah branch in Uman, confirmed the man was found by police during the Rosh Hashanah holiday and that the circumstances are being investigated. The article notes that tens of thousands of Israelis travel annually to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, a pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nahman of Breslov, despite the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This year, the trip became a particularly sensitive issue amid increased enforcement against ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, with senior Breslov rabbis urging those who could face arrest not to go to Ben Gurion Airport.