Israeli and Ukrainian officials are coordinating preparations for the expected arrival of tens of thousands of mispallelim in Uman for Rosh Hashanah, with Deputy Prime Minister and Religious Services Minister Yariv Levin holding a working discussion with Ukrainian Religious Affairs Minister Viktor Yelensky focused on security and arrangements for the massive annual pilgrimage.
The conversation between Levin and Yelensky was held as officials prepare for the large influx of visitors traveling to the tziyun of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman, even as Ukraine continues to contend with a complicated wartime security situation.
Also participating in the discussion were Religious Services Ministry Director-General Yehuda Avidan and Nachman Steinberg, a representative of the World Zionist Organization in Ukraine. The call was part of broader professional preparations underway ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
Levin began by thanking the Ukrainian government and Yelensky for their cooperation in accommodating the tens of thousands of visitors expected to arrive at the holy site. He acknowledged the considerable logistical and security challenges involved in receiving such a large number of people in a country at war and urged Ukrainian authorities to take every possible measure to facilitate their arrival and protect them during their stay.
Yelensky responded by stressing that Ukrainian authorities are committed to safeguarding the visitors despite the significant security challenges confronting the country.
During the conversation, the Ukrainian minister also discussed the war with Iran and expressed solidarity with the Israeli government.
“The Iranian danger is a global threat that unites all Western countries on one front,” Yelensky said.
The two ministers also discussed strengthening cooperation between Israel and Ukraine regarding Jewish heritage sites and holy places throughout the country.
Among the locations discussed were the tziyun of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman, the tziyun of the Baal Shem Tov in Medzhybizh, the tziyun of the Baal HaTanya, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, in Haditch, and the tziyun of Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev.
Yelensky also emphasized the Ukrainian government’s appreciation for Yerushalayim, and the two ministers concluded their discussion by exchanging wishes ahead of the new year.
At the conclusion of the call, Levin thanked Yelensky, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people for their continued cooperation, and wished them a good and blessed new year.
{Matzav.com}
