By: Fern Sidman

In a significant gesture with implications for both Jewish religious life and international diplomacy, the Ukrainian government on Wednesday officially designated the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman as a national heritage site. The decision, which was announced during Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Kyiv, marks a pivotal step toward enhancing security and safeguarding Jewish pilgrimage activities in the war-torn country.

A report on Thursday at The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) noted that the site—long a spiritual epicenter for tens of thousands of Haredi Jews—is now expected to benefit from increased protection and recognition at the highest levels of the Ukrainian state. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with high-level bilateral meetings between Israeli and Ukrainian officials, underscores the broader strategic and cultural significance of the designation.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the 18th-century founder of the Breslov Chassidic movement, was laid to rest in the central Ukrainian city of Uman, approximately 125 miles south of Kyiv. His grave has since become a magnet for religious pilgrimage, particularly during the High Holy Days surrounding Rosh Hashanah. In recent years, Uman has seen the arrival of as many as 35,000 Jewish pilgrims annually—an enduring testament to Rabbi Nachman’s spiritual legacy.

As JNS has reported in past coverage, the pilgrimage has continued even amid geopolitical instability, including Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In October 2024, despite stern travel advisories from Israeli authorities and international security concerns, roughly 35,000 worshippers made the journey to Uman, matching pre-war attendance figures.

This resilience by Jewish pilgrims did not go unnoticed by Ukrainian leadership. Wednesday’s announcement is viewed as both a symbolic act of gratitude and a pragmatic move to ensure that the site is afforded the protection it now urgently requires.

The recognition of the tomb as a national heritage site was made public during a joint press conference held in Kyiv, where Foreign Minister Sa’ar stood alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha. “I want to thank you for recognizing the site in Uman, the resting place of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, as a heritage site,” Sa’ar stated.

Emphasizing the bond between the two nations, Sa’ar added, “Both Ukraine and Israel are going through difficult times, but our countries are strong, and the friendship between us is steadfast. We will continue to deepen it and support one another. I thank you for your hospitality. I look forward to building a better future for our children. And I invite you and hope to soon host you in Jerusalem, our eternal capital.”

This week’s visit represents the most senior Israeli diplomatic engagement in Ukraine since early 2023 and is being heralded as a turning point in what has been a complex relationship between the two nations since the onset of Russia’s war.

The JNS report noted that Israeli-Ukrainian relations have faced considerable strain since February 2022. While Israel was quick to condemn Russia’s invasion, it has refrained from providing Kyiv with military aid—a posture that diverges from the more robust support shown by many of its Western allies.

This reluctance stems in large part from Israel’s strategic calculus. Russia maintains an active military footprint in Syria, where Israeli forces frequently conduct operations against Iranian-aligned targets. Israeli officials, therefore, tread carefully to avoid direct confrontation with Moscow, even as Russia continues to arm and support Iran, Israel’s arch-regional adversary.

Within this context, the decision to recognize the Uman pilgrimage site as a national heritage asset may also be interpreted as a Ukrainian overture to rekindle and stabilize ties with Israel, without compromising broader foreign policy alignments.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Sa’ar also held a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a moment described by Sa’ar on the social media platform X as “good and friendly.”

JNS reported that the meeting covered a wide range of pressing topics, including the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and emerging threats in the Middle East—most notably the activities of Iran and its proxies. “We discussed the importance of tightening bilateral relations between our nations,” Sa’ar wrote, highlighting shared security concerns that are increasingly global in scale.

Observers view the discussion as further evidence that the Ukraine-Israel relationship—though tested—is recalibrating toward greater strategic alignment.

By elevating the tomb of Rabbi Nachman to national heritage status, Ukraine has made a powerful statement, both to its own citizens and to the international Jewish community. As the JNS report noted, the designation is likely to trigger a series of tangible outcomes, including enhanced security protocols, better infrastructure for visiting pilgrims, and increased visibility in Ukraine’s cultural preservation agenda.

Jewish leaders in both countries have long voiced concerns about the safety of the pilgrimage site, particularly in the shadow of ongoing military operations. Ukraine’s move to formalize the site’s importance may help allay those concerns, offering reassurance that the country remains committed to religious pluralism even amid wartime hardship.

While Israel’s balancing act between Kyiv and Moscow will likely continue, the recent developments offer a glimpse into the potential for deeper, mutually beneficial ties between Ukraine and the Jewish state. As the JNS report indicated, religious diplomacy often serves as a durable foundation for political cooperation, especially when aligned with shared values and historical memory.

For the thousands of Jews who regard Uman as a sacred destination, Ukraine’s recognition of the site as a national treasure sends a resounding message: Jewish heritage has a place in the future of Ukraine. And for the governments in Kyiv and Jerusalem, it may offer an opportunity to build new bridges—bridges that lead not only to ancient tombs but also to renewed trust in a fractured world.