Israeli Families Defy Warnings, Bring Children on Uman Pilgrimage in Ukraine
Despite warnings from the governments of Israel and Ukraine, hundreds of parents have brought their young children on the Uman pilgrimage in war-torn Ukraine to visit the gravesite of Rabbi Nachman. The pilgrimage, which is the largest Jewish pilgrimage outside of Israel, has become more complicated due to the conflict in Ukraine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Israelis to act responsibly regarding their trips, while some ultra-Orthodox lawmakers have criticized his remarks. The presence of children on the pilgrimage highlights the determination of the pilgrims to keep the tradition alive, although it has also amplified criticism of the pilgrimage.