Orthodox Jewish pilgrims are asked to refrain from visiting Uman next month to celebrate Rosh Hashanah

Orthodox Jewish pilgrims are asked to refrain from visiting Uman next month to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, “due to the threatening epidemiological situation,” according to a joint statement by Israel and Ukraine. In a normal year, 30,000-50,000 Orthodox make the pilgrimage. This year, it would be Sept. 18-20. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that last month the government reached a similar agreement with Ukraine’s Orthodox churches to refrain from the traditional July 28 mass processions celebrating the Christianization of Kyivan Rus.