Yelensky Reported to Israel on the Progress of Preparations for the Hasidic Pilgrimage
The head of the SESS told Israeli representatives about the preparations for the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman.
The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky held online talks with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Religious Affairs of Israel, during which he reported on the progress of preparations for the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman. This was reported by the SESS press service.
The meeting was also attended by the State Secretary of the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs Yehuda Avidan and a representative of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Congress, Nachman (Joseph) Stenberg. The Israeli side inquired about the conditions Ukrainian authorities are creating for pilgrims — followers of Nachman of Bratslav — and expressed hope that, despite the full-scale war and constant shelling, the annual pilgrimage to Uman would proceed successfully.
Yelensky, reporting to Israeli officials, assured them that Ukraine pays unwavering attention to ensuring freedom of conscience not only for its own citizens but for all those on Ukrainian soil, and also discussed with the parties the possibility of expanding pilgrim visits to the burial sites of the founder of Hasidism, the Baal Shem Tov, and the founder of Chabad, Schneur Zalman.
Separately, the official held an online conversation with Israeli Minister of Culture Miki Zohar, which was joined by the Chief Rabbi of Uman Yaakov Jan and World Zionist Organization representative Nachman Stenberg. The Israeli Minister of Culture thanked the Ukrainian side for ensuring proper conditions for the Bratslav Hasidic pilgrimage during a particularly difficult time for both countries.
As the UOJ reported, the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration has begun preparations for the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman.
