Rosh Hashanah has begun: why Jews travel to Uman for “New Year” and how celebration unfolds

Every year—on Rosh Hashanah, which falls in September—Uman, near Cherkasy, is filled with Orthodox Jews who travel a long way from Israel to get there. There is one reason for this dedication: Nachman of Bratslav, the founder of Bratslav Hasidism, is buried in this city.

It was he who instructed the followers of this religious tradition to visit his grave on the “Festival of the Shofar,” as Rosh Hashanah is also known. In return, according to his vow, the rabbi will intercede on their behalf before the Almighty.

What Jews do at Nachman’s grave?

Rabbi Nachman’s grave is located in one of the synagogue’s rooms, divided right at the tombstone into two separate halls—one for men and one for women.

On both sides, in accordance with the will of the Bratslav Hasidim, each visitor must read “Tikkun Ha-Klali”—ten special psalms—and must also make a charitable donation to the poor.

And since this ritual takes place during one of the major Jewish holidays, events occur on the streets of Uman that are sometimes incomprehensible to Ukrainians but are entirely grounded in ancient traditions.

How Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

During the annual pilgrimage, Uman literally transforms into a noisy, cheerful fair, with stalls selling kosher food and Hasidic paraphernalia, songs, the blowing of the shofar, and even circle dances.

The shofar is a musical instrument that dates back to the time when the freed Jewish slaves followed Moses through the desert. It is made from a ram’s horn and holds roughly the same significance for Jewish religious communities as bells do for Orthodox Christians.

Incidentally, some believe that Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish equivalent of New Year’s in the Christian tradition. However, the name of the holiday actually translates as “head of the year,” meaning that it does not mark the beginning of a new year at all, but rather the Day of Judgment, when God decides the fate of humanity and of each individual for the coming year.

And it is precisely the shofar, with its sharp, piercing sound—far from melodious—that reminds everyone around to pause and reflect on where we’ve come from and where we’re going. And that is why, throughout the two days of celebration in Uman, the sounds of the shofar echo here and there.