On January 23-26, an Israeli delegation headed by former resident of Kyiv Alex Vizhnitzer, Co-Chairman (on the Israeli side) of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Development of Uman, was in Ukraine with a working visit. The visit was part of the necessary effort to coordinate the efforts of the Israeli and Ukrainian side to create a quality, dependable, and safe system to receive tens of thousands of pilgrims who come annually from around the world, mostly from Israel, to visit the grave of the Hasid tsaddik Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who is buried in the Ukrainian city of Uman’, Cherkasskaya Oblast.

The decision to create an Uman’ committee was made during negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman with President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich during his official visit to Israel in December 2011, accompanied by the Governor of Cherkasskaya Oblast Sergei Tulub.

A number of preliminary agreements were reached during the negotiations of the participants of the delegation with a number of Ukrainian officials and Jewish community leaders. These agreements concerned the development of the infrastructure of Uman’, investments, and cooperation to make sure the pilgrims are received on an appropriate level.

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC )Chairman, Chairman of the Association of Jewish Communities and Organizations of Ukraine Josef Zisels held a working meeting with the Israeli delegation in Kyiv. Josef Zisels also represented the Rachel Foundation of the family of Alexander Mashkevich, which is also actively participating in the development of Uman’ infrastructure.

On January 24, the EAJC General Council Chairman also participated in the final meeting of the Israeli delegation with Ukrainian officials, including the governor of Cherkasskaya oblast and the representatives of the executive branch of Uman’ authorities. The meeting took place in the residence of the Israel Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Ukraine Reuven Dinel.