Ethno-Politics Service head, Israeli religious affairs minister discuss expanding pilgrim visits to Ukraine
Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky discussed with Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Justice – Minister of Religious Affairs of Israel Yariv Levin the expansion of visits by pilgrims to burial sites in Ukraine and Israel.
Viktor Yelensky, head of Ukraine's State Service for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience, met with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin to discuss expanding pilgrim visits to burial sites in Ukraine and Israel. The pair explored cooperation opportunities between Ukraine's DESS and Israel's Ministry of Religious Affairs, focusing on increasing pilgrimages to the burial sites of Hasidic spiritual leaders, such as the founder of Hasidism, the Besht, and Schneur Zalman.
The Israeli side commended Ukraine's efforts in facilitating pilgrimages for Nachman of Breslov followers during the annual Uman pilgrimage. Yelensky and Levin expressed their willingness to deepen their cooperation. Additionally, an online conversation between Yelensky and Israeli Minister of Culture Miki Zohar took place, where Zohar thanked Ukraine for providing decent conditions for the pilgrimage of Breslov Hasidim during a challenging period for both nations, particularly for Ukraine, which has been resisting Russian military aggression for four and a half years.
In 2026, the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman to commemorate Rosh Hashanah will span from September 11 to 13.
Written by urgent.news from Interfax-Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
