As thousands of Israeli Breslav hassidim head for Ukraine before Rosh Hashana to visit tomb of Rabbi Nahman of Breslav, ZAKA volunteers will offer security services there.
By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICHzaka(photo credit: Zaka)
As tens of thousands of Israeli Breslav hassidim and other enthusiasts head for Ukraine before Rosh Hashana to spend the holiday at the Uman tomb of Rabbi Nahman of Breslav, ZAKA volunteers will for the first time offer both first aid and security services there.As this year marks the 200th anniversary of the revered rabbi’s death, larger crowds than normal are expected.ZAKA will operate a central command for assistance and first aid at the grave site through Saturday night while for the first time it will cooperate with local security services in securing the mass prayer events.The IDF Home Front Command has provided the group’s security and medical volunteers with a professional communications system to ensure a fast and efficient response.Jerusalem-based ZAKA volunteer Shimi Grossman is leading dozens of speciallytrained and equipped ZAKA volunteers, who will be on call round the clock, while Rabbi Nachman Klein is heading a clinic staffed by Israeli doctors.ZAKA chairman and founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav added that his organization would be able to operate “more efficiently and offer a greater level of security and safety to the hassidim who come to pray at the tomb.”ZAKA’s Ukraine branch, headed by Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman and under the direction of Rabbi Ya’acov Zilberman, will also be on hand to deal with any emergencies.
