Breslov Chasidim Stranded In Belarus

Some 1500 Breslov chasidim are stranded in Belarus near the Ukrainian border as they attempt to reach Uman for Rosh Hashana. The Ukrainians imposed a ban on tourists at the end of August but the chasidim still hope for some intervention which will allow them to enter the country.

In the meantime the chasidim are stuck in various border cities, with some of them even sleeping in parks and streets. Many of them have little access to kosher food and are subsisting mainly on fruits and vegetables. Many of them have not been able to shower or use running water for weeks.

Some of these pilgrims are in Brest, Pinsk and Radin which are adjacent to the Ukrainian border while others are in the Belarus capital, Minsk.