In Pictures: Ultra-Orthodox flock to celebrate Rosh Hashana in Ukraine

30,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews are estimated to have traveled to the Ukrainian town of Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 10:50
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims celebrate the Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims celebrate the Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Every year, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews mark Rosh Hashana by traveling to Uman, Ukraine, where the founder of the Breslov hassidic dynasty Rabbi Nachman of Breslov is buried, with some 30,000 visiting the site last year.
Nachman is seen as a saintly figure for his spiritual and mystical teachings, and the mass pilgrimages to his grave have dramatically increased since the end of the Communist era and the opening up of Eastern Europe.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Until the Second World War, the Ukrainian town was home to a large Jewish community. Only a small community now remains, but the annual pilgrimage brings a surge of Jewish life to Uman.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims dance on a bank of a lake near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims dance on a bank of a lake near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
The mass arrival of pilgrims to the burial site is regarded as Uman's main economic industry. Not everyone is pleased, however, by the influx of visitors with local residents complaining of loud noise, widespread drinking, drug use and disorder.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy practises on the bars on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017. (Reuters)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy practises on the bars on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims pray on a bank of a lake near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims pray on a bank of a lake near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims celebrate Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims celebrate Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017. (Reuters)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrim prays next to a tomb at an old Jewish cemetery on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 19, 2017. (Reuters)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrim prays next to a tomb at an old Jewish cemetery on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 19, 2017. (Reuters)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrim blows a shofar, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrim blows a shofar, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during the celebration of Rosh Hashana holiday, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Jeremy Sharon contributed to this article.


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