Rosh Hashanah in Ukraine: traditions and meanings, features in 2023
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one of the most important holidays for the Jewish community in Ukraine. It marks the beginning of the new religious year and is a time for reflection, repentance, and prayer. The celebration of Rosh Hashanah has its own unique traditions that have long been intertwined with Ukrainian culture. Pilgrims come to Ukraine to visit the grave of the Tzaddik Nachman. Another central theme of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar - the ram's horn. Its sound symbolizes a call to repentance, recalling the ancient story of Isaac, who was willing to sacrifice himself on the altar for God.
Tomb of Tzadik Nachman
Among the main traditions of Rosh Hashanah is the custom of consuming a special type of bread that contains honey. This symbolizes the desire for sweet and joyful moments in the new year. Also popular are dishes with apples and honey, which reflect expectations of sweetness and prosperity. The Ukrainian Jewish community celebrates Rosh Hashanah not only religiously but also culturally. This is a time when people come together, exchange wishes, and share joyful moments. The celebration includes prayers, performances by religious leaders, and a communal meal with traditional dishes.
Therefore, Rosh Hashanah in Ukraine is not only a religious holiday but also an important cultural event that unites the community in their aspirations for goodness, repentance, and a fresh start.
Despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in 2022, 23,000 Hasidic Jews came to Uman to celebrate the Jewish New Year. This year, even more pilgrims are expected. In 2023, Rosh Hashanah falls on September 15 and ends on the evening of September 17. Hasidim have already started gathering in Uman. There are still several weeks until the mass celebrations, and security measures have been strengthened in advance. To ensure the safety of guests during Russian missile attacks, numerous shelters have been set up here. Currently, there are more than 200 addresses in the city where shelters are located. They are mainly found in educational, cultural, and medical institutions.
It is crucial to respond to alarms and seek shelter. You can check the addresses of protective structures in the city of Uman and the Uman district here or on an interactive map.
The city is addressing issues related to providing medical assistance, the work of municipal services, and more. Every Hasid is aware of the risks during wartime. They know that when there is an alarm, they need to be safe and seek shelter. For additional security, it is advisable to purchase an insurance policy covering war risks with the option to add radiation protection on the welcomeukrainetoday.
Additionally, a website and a hotline have been set up for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman. There, information about the specifics of the pilgrimage, rules of stay, and 24/7 support are provided.
We hope that the holiday will take place safely and wish the Jewish community happiness, mutual understanding, health, joy, and prosperity. 💙💛
