Annual Hasidic Jewish Pilgrimage Blocked by COVID-19 Restrictions

Thousands of Hasidic Jews make the pligrimage to Uman every year (Wikimedia Commons)

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Ukrainian border authorities have turned away hundreds of Hasidic pilgrims traveling from Belarus. The situation began on September 14, when hundreds of travelers began arriving at the border, according to the State Border Service of Ukraine.

Hasidic Jews have made this pilgrimage since 1811, when the founder of their movement, Rabbi Nachman, passed away and was buried in the Ukrainian city of Uman. Each year, they travel to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and visit his grave.

In years past, the number of pilgrims to the city has exceeded 30,000. This year, the Ukrainian government closed its borders to foreigners to slow the spread of COVID-19 and will not reopen them until late September. Despite requests from the Ukrainian government to stay away, thousands of pilgrims have already arrived in Uman to visit the tomb.

During their time in tent camps on the border, the pilgrims received water and kosher food from local Jewish organizations, as well as assistance from the Belarussian Red Cross. Despite the aid, many reported that they were running out of resources and medical supplies. One pilgrim told EuroNews, “We are stuck here with no money, no roof, no food or drink,” and pleaded that the Israeli government intervene in the “humanitarian crisis.”

In addition to armed guards, the Ukrainians dedicated several drones and helicopters to protect the border. As of September 18, only 200 people remained at the checkpoint, with most women and children returning home. 

Tensions have risen between the Belarussian and Ukrainian governments over the issue of who is to blame for the border situation. The Israeli government backed Ukraine’s decision to close the border, expressing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 as pilgrims return home. However, Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko has urged Ukraine to allow passage, accusing Kyiv of stranding thousands. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office blamed Minsk for encouraging Hasidic Jews to travel and spreading false rumors that the border remained open.

The relationship between the two countries was already strained by Ukraine siding with the European Union  in rejecting the results of Belarus’s last election, which kept Lukashenko in power for a sixth term.

“We are also forced to state that the personal insult of certain persons in the de facto current Belarusian government extends today, unfortunately, to the plane of interstate relations,” Zelenskiy’s office noted.

The Hasidic Jewish pilgrimage issue resolved itself peacefully, with most deciding to return home following Ukraine’s refusal to open the border.