Hasidic Jews Celebrate New Year In Ukraine
Hasidic Jews from around the world transformed the central Ukrainian city of Uman into a giant street party to mark Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The festive mood was marred by an explosion which injured two Israeli pilgrims on September 21. The reason for the blast was not immediately clear. Followers of the Breslov Hasidic movement come to Uman every year to pray at the grave of the movement's founder, Reb Nachman, who died there in 1810. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
1
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, in Uman, Ukraine, September 20, 2017.
2
Dance is an essential part of the celebrations.
3
More than 30,000 pilgrims from 14 countries came for this year's celebration.
4
The celebration was marred by an explosion that authorities said lightly injured two Israeli pilgrims. September 21, 2017.
5
This room is situated above the resting place of Reb Nachman, who founded the Breslov Hasidic movement. It is one of the main places for prayer during Rosh Hashanah.
6
The pilgrims pray together, but different people are reciting different prayers at the same time.
7
Tradition dictates that a Hasidic Jew should come to the grave of Reb Nachman at least once, preferably at New Year.
8
Many Jews shave their heads. The length of the remaining hair, the Payot, varies among different groups.
9
This man is praying by the walls of the cemetery.
10
Stallholders accept Israeli shekels and U.S. dollars; the pilgrims have come from all over the world.
11
Pilgrims near the site of Reb Nachman's grave.
12
Borukh Bavli first came here a year ago, with his family, to study Jewish traditions.
13
Part of Uman is transformed at this time of year to resemble part of Jerusalem. Only the police are speaking Ukrainian or Russian.
14
Pilgrims bathe in this lake on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. On the first day, they come to pray and contemplate.
Facebook Forum