The State of Israel sent 10 Israeli police officers to Uman to “ensure order during Rosh Hashanah together with Ukrainian colleagues.”

Tens of thousands of Hasidim are expected for the holiday. Mixed crews are on duty in the city, checkpoints and a combined service unit have been deployed. What pilgrims and residents need to know — in the analysis by NAnews.

What is happening and why it is important

A group of Israeli law enforcement officers has arrived in Uman. They are serving jointly with the Ukrainian police and other structures — to maintain order in places where Breslov Hasidim pilgrims gather. Before going on routes, a briefing was held (conducted by Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Cherkasy region, Sergey Kovalenko), after which actions for the holiday period were coordinated at the coordination headquarters. According to the publication JewishNews from September 19, 2025, the team includes about ten Israeli police officers; the situation at the time of publication is calm and controlled.

This is not a symbolic gesture: during the holiday, the city becomes a center of attraction for tens of thousands of people, and everything depends on how coordinated the services act — from queues at checkpoints and response speed to the sense of security among the visitors themselves.

A couple of strokes for scale: up to 35,000 pilgrims are expected.

Already on the eve, thousands of guests were in the city, and transport flows continue to arrive. The holiday dates this year are from the evening of September 22 to the evening of September 24, 2025. For comparison: last year, about 33,500 Breslov Hasidim came, so 5786 may surpass last year’s figure.

How interaction on the ground is organized

Israeli officers work side by side with Ukrainian police and National Guardsmen. Before going on routes, they undergo introductory briefings and familiarize themselves with city schemes — not only “where to stand,” but “how to act”: the logic of flows, bottlenecks, points of possible congestion, communication order with rescuers and medics. At the headquarters level, a list of “hot” spots, from where calls most often come, is agreed upon in advance: places of compact residence of pilgrims, routes to prayer sites, intersections with heavy traffic.

What exactly the mixed patrol does

• Foot patrols — to be closer to people and manage to respond to small issues before they become problems.
• Mobile crews — for quick responses to signals, including at night.
• Targeted presence — on bridges, at underpasses, and in narrow passages, where it is important to prevent crowding.

Coordination headquarters

If everything on the street should be unnoticed and calm, then in the headquarters, the city map is buzzing. Here, messages from patrols, camera operators, and rescue services are compiled. Decisions are made quickly: redirect the flow, add a post, block passage — without long meetings. For a pilgrim, this results in a simple thing: fewer wanderings and a clear route.

Enhanced security measures: what everyone will see

Checkpoints and inspections

Checkpoints are set up at the entrances to the pilgrimage area. Documents, luggage, and transport are checked — this is a standard procedure at mass events. Queues are possible, but when the check is in flow, it works for the safety of all participants.

Combined service unit

Not only police officers are on duty around the clock in the city. Rescuers respond to calls, medics, dog handlers, and bomb technicians work, and road services are involved if necessary. Such an “orchestra” is well heard when something happens: each team knows its part and enters on time.

Prevention and instructions

Rescuers conduct direct work with pilgrims — explaining behavior rules during alarms, showing where the nearest shelter is, where to go from water and smoke, how parents with children should act. Simple things like “keep the passage clear” or “do not leave bags unattended” save hours of service work.

Numbers, dates, rhythm of the holiday

• Rosh Hashanah 5786 dates: from the evening of September 22 to the evening of September 24, 2025.

• Traffic expectation: up to 35,000 pilgrims.

• Reference from last year: about 33,500 guests.

The dynamics are as follows: the first wave arrives in advance to settle in and understand the logistics, then — the peak, closer to night prayers and the holiday. In crowded places, it is better to plan time with a margin and keep water, documents, and a charged phone with you.

Official warnings and healthy pragmatism

Ukrainian agencies have reminded in advance of the risks associated with the war: restrictions on holding mass events outside approved zones, possible document checks, curfews, requirements for shelters during alarms. This is not a “formality,” but transparent rules of the game for any large event during a conflict. Their goal is to minimize risks, not complicate the lives of pilgrims.

The reasonable approach here is simple: plan movements considering the regime, study the area scheme in advance, agree on a meeting place with friends in case of loss of communication, and add emergency service numbers to favorites.

GEO-memo: how to go, where to look, what to remember

• Routes. The main flows go to key religious points and back to accommodation places. Follow the signs and patrol recommendations — they distribute traffic not “by intuition,” but based on the operational picture.

• Checkpoints. Prepare documents in advance at checkpoints. Any extra search in the bag is time for the whole queue.

• Night. Mobile crews work at night, but it’s better for you to stick to well-lit streets. If planning late transitions — think through the route and inform your loved ones.

• Prohibitions. In the pilgrimage area, it is traditionally forbidden to sell alcohol and pyrotechnics, carry knives and weapon imitations. This reduces the risk of domestic conflicts and accidental injuries.

• Children and the elderly. Agree on a “beacon” — a noticeable place where you meet if lost. Write down contacts on paper and put them in the pocket of a child or elderly relative.

Mini-FAQ for pilgrims (in plain language)

Why joint patrols are not “cosmetic,” but a real contribution

• Firstly, it adds “human hands” where they are always lacking: at crowd turns, entrances, and passages between prayer points.
• Secondly, mixed crews gather the picture faster: officers from different systems notice different types of behavior and complement each other.
• Thirdly, it increases the trust of pilgrims — they see familiar uniforms next to Ukrainian colleagues and are more willing to follow recommendations.

There is also a psychological effect: when order is ensured by several services at once, people feel that “they are remembered.” It’s a small thing, but such small things form the overall impression of the holiday.

NAnews conclusions

1. International cooperation works. Israeli police officers are integrated into the Uman city security system — it’s about reaction speed and direct communication on the streets.

2. Security is multi-level. Checkpoints, prevention, combined unit, mobile crews — this is not redundancy, but proven practice for events with tens of thousands of participants.

3. Much depends on the participants too. A prepared route, attention to patrol instructions, and respect for rules save time for everyone and reduce risks.

NAnews — News of Israel and Ukraine. We are monitoring the situation in Uman and will promptly supplement the material with practical tips for pilgrims and city residents.