Ukraine Decides: Rabbi Nachman's Grave Will Be Recognized as a Site of National Importance

An extraordinary political gesture to Israel and the Jewish world: The Ukrainian government announced that it has officially decided to recognize the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman as a religious site of national importance. The decision is intended to ensure the preservation of the site, enable budget allocation for ongoing maintenance, and upgrade the security apparatus around the site – especially during the mass pilgrimages on Rosh Hashanah.

Rabbi Nachman's grave, located in the city of Uman in central Ukraine, has become a pilgrimage site for tens of thousands of Hasidim in recent decades, mainly from Israel. The ongoing pilgrimage has also brought security, maintenance, and logistical challenges – especially in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war and security tensions in the region.

Today, with the start of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's visit to Ukraine, the Ukrainian government announced a government decision on the matter. The decision states that "the site will enjoy special legal status that ensures protection, preservation, and infrastructure development in accordance with its cultural and religious importance." Ukraine's ambassador to Israel welcomed the decision and noted that this is "recognition of the deep connection between Jewish heritage and Ukraine's history."

This is a significant political gesture coinciding with the Foreign Minister's opening visit to the country. The pilgrimage to the Rabbi's grave has posed considerable challenges for both Israel and Ukraine in recent years. Especially during the coronavirus period and now also the war in Ukraine. The budget allocation and security reinforcement are expected to directly impact and significantly ease pilgrimage to the site.