Israel Police is preparing to send its largest-ever delegation to assist the tens of thousands of Breslover Chassidim expected to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, with more than 40 Israeli police officers slated to be deployed along key travel routes and in Uman itself.
According to a report by Shilo Fried, the planned deployment will surpass the number of Israeli officers sent in previous years to accompany the massive annual pilgrimage to the kever of Rav Nachman of Breslov.
The Israeli officers are expected to be stationed in Ukraine and Romania, including at border crossings used by the travelers, as well as in Uman. Their responsibilities will include providing translation assistance, helping travelers navigate interactions with local authorities and working to prevent incidents during the complicated journey.
The delegation could grow further if additional countries through which the Breslover travelers are expected to pass request the presence of Israeli police officers at airports or border crossings.
Preparations are underway in Uman for approximately 45,000 mispallelim to arrive for Rosh Hashanah, with an estimated 35,000 expected to travel from Israel.
Because of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the inability of the large numbers of travelers to fly directly into the country, hundreds of flights are expected to land in neighboring countries. Travelers will arrive through Romania, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria before continuing overland toward Ukraine and ultimately Uman.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry is also preparing an extensive operation to assist the travelers. Dozens of Israeli diplomats are expected to be positioned at airports and border crossings along the various routes as part of the government’s logistical support operation.
The overall cost to the Israeli government of providing the additional police, diplomatic and logistical assistance is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of shekels.
Ukrainian officials and Breslover organizations are meanwhile making their own preparations for the arrival of the massive crowds.
According to an earlier report by Emess, the Ichud Breslov B’Uman organization reached an agreement with the Uman municipality concerning the tourist tax imposed on visitors. Under the arrangement, travelers who pay the tax in advance will be charged $27 instead of the $45 fee charged upon entering the city.
Rav Nosson Ben Nun, chairman of Ichud Breslov, also recently met with the governor of the Cherkasy region, the regional police commander and other senior officials to coordinate arrangements ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
Officials emphasized during the discussions that visitors will be required to comply with instructions issued by Ukrainian authorities throughout their stay, particularly given the continuing wartime conditions in the country.
Travelers will also be expected to strictly observe local curfew hours and other security regulations imposed by Ukrainian authorities.
The unusually large Israeli police deployment reflects the logistical challenge surrounding this year’s Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage, as tens of thousands of Breslover Chassidim make their way through multiple countries and border crossings before reaching Uman for the annual gathering at the kever of Rav Nachman.
{Matzav.com}
