- July 28, 2024
- 11:55 pm
- Ukraine
“Historical and architectural reference plan for the city of Uman, Cherkasy region”, which is based on the project of the President of Ukraine “Little Jerusalem”, presented back in 2020.
A Ukrainian delegation from the city of Uman in the Cherkasy region visited Israel to discuss issues of Ukrainian-Israeli cooperation.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine On July 26, 2024, with reference to the press service of Uman, during the visit, high-ranking Israeli representatives expressed full support to the mayor of Uman, Irina Pletneva, and her team. They approved the proposed city development project – “Historical and architectural reference plan for the city of Uman, Cherkasy region” – and expressed their readiness to participate in its implementation.
Israeli ministers rely on the opinion and position of Uman Chief Rabbi Yaakov Jan, who fully supports this plan. This plan is based on the Ukrainian President's “Little Jerusalem” project, presented in 2020.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Israeli publication The Times of Israel that Ukraine honors the memory of the Holocaust victims. The interview was dedicated to honoring the victims of the Holocaust in Ukraine and Zelensky's planned visit to Israel on January 22-23, 2020, to participate in events to perpetuate the memory of the victims of Auschwitz.
When asked by a journalist how Ukraine honors the victims of the Holocaust,Zelensky responded:
“Firstly, we honor the memory of the Holocaust victims. Secondly, this year we are starting the construction of a memorial in Babi Yar. Thirdly, we have a project in Uman. As you know, many Jews from all over the world come there to honor the memory of famous Jews. In this city, we will start building 'Little Jerusalem'. We decided to create a historical museum, a large park and reconstruct a synagogue. We want to create an authentic town. We came up with the name 'Little Jerusalem' as an idea to make it very authentic, in a very professional style.”
In 2019, Andrey Ermak gave an interview L.B. stated that he is personally responsible for the development of Uman on the Ukrainian side, and on the Israeli side, Minister Zeev Elkin. Yermak spoke about the visit of the Ukrainian-Israeli delegation to Uman, where they found a large number of investors willing to invest. He noted that the goal is to make Uman a tourist center that will attract not only pilgrims, but also other tourists. To this end, it is planned to build new hotels, an airport, and a hospital.
The Ukrainian side was represented by the Mayor of Uman Irina Pletneva, the Director of the Development and Investment Center, Alena Gudzovskaya, the First Deputy Mayor Oleg Ganich and businessman Ivan Guchenko.
The Ukrainian delegation was received at a high level in Israel. Among those who met the delegation were such important persons as the Minister of Culture and Sports of Israel Miki Zohar, the Minister of Religious Affairs Mikhail Malkieli, the Minister of the Interior Moshe Arbel, the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of Economy of Israel Nir Barkat and the Chief Rabbi of the Breslov Hasidic movement Shalom Arush.
Also participating in the meetings were the Chief Rabbi of Uman, Yaakov Dzhan, the representative of the Jewish National Fund, Mikhail Pinto, and the Chairman of the WI CC Fund, Nachman Steinberg. The delegation visited the Knesset and a number of state and public institutions.
The meetings discussed a wide range of issues related to the socio-economic and cultural-humanitarian development of the city of Uman, as well as the role of the Jewish community and the State of Israel in this process.
Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine and in the city of Uman, emphasizing: “I certainly support the development plan for the city of Uman, proposed by the mayor and her team, the chief rabbi of the city.” He also noted the importance of understanding and active cooperation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture.
Chief Rabbi of the Bratslav branch of Hasidism, Shalom Arush, noted the need to support and develop the city of Uman as a unique and symbolic place for Hasidism, which is sacred to many Jews around the world.
“I fully trust the Chief Rabbi of Uman, Yaakov Jan, and support the city administration's plan for the historical and architectural development of the city. On behalf of society, we are ready to participate in the implementation of this plan,” he added.
The Israeli Minister of Culture gave the order to create an Interdepartmental Ukrainian-Israeli Commission for the Regulation of Pilgrimage to Uman. The task of the commission will be to develop cooperation in the field of culture and the management of the pilgrimage microdistrict. The parties decided to continue and strengthen the dialogue with practical tasks and projects in the near future.
