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Thousands of Hasidic Jews to hold annual celebration at spiritual leader's tomb in Ukraine

Thousands of Hasidic Jews from around the world gathered Thursday in the central Ukrainian town of Uman to mark the Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashana, at the tomb of their spiritual leader.

Some 12,000 Jews from the Bratslav Hasidic movement had gathered in the quiet town by Thursday to pray at the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, who died in 1810.

Bearded and wearing black hats, participants began setting up giant tents and a big cafeteria to feed the 20,000 organizers were expecting before Rosh Hashana begins at sundown Friday.

They prayed, danced and recited psalms throughout the town, which was peppered with Hebrew posters during this men-only event.

"This is ... a chance to touch the living faith of our fathers," said Borys Varminshteyn, of Myrhorod in central Ukraine.

Nachman, the great grandson of the founder of Hasidism, is renowned for his mystical interpretations of Jewish texts, and promised on his deathbed to help anyone who came and prayed beside his tomb. Nachman taught that high spirituality could be achieved through prayer, meditation and good deeds.

His promise to hear the prayers of those who came to his burial place — and his suggestion that prayer carried more power during Rosh Hashana — has been drawing thousands of pilgrims yearly.

The officially atheist Soviet Union sharply restricted access, but Jews have been able to visit freely since Ukraine's 1991 independence.

Nachman's tomb — part of a destroyed Jewish cemetery — has been renovated, and a giant synagogue was built nearby. The religious visitors have had a noticeable impact on Uman, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of the capital, Kiev. There is a kosher supermarket and a new hotel that respects Hasidim's requirements — the rooms have no mirrors, and bathtubs are replaced with showers.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/21/europe/EU_REL_Ukraine_Jewish_Pilgrimage.php