As of this past Thursday, the most "Jewish" site in eastern Europe - the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov - is in danger of being auctioned off to foreign ownership. This, following the rejection by the Ukrainian Supreme Court of an appeal by a Breslov Hassidic group, and the instatement of a ruling obligating the latter to pay $3 million - or risk losing the holy site.
The story began four years ago, when the Breslov foundation that oversees the holy gravesite in Uman - to which tens of thousands Jews travel each year for special prayers - hired a company to reconstruct and expand the synagogue adjacent to the grave. A dispute broke out between the sides when the contracting company, owned by a Ukrianian Parliament Member, demanded payment, while the Jewish group claimed the services had never been proffered. The Ukrainian court ruled in favor of the contractor/politician; some of its hearings on the matter were held without a Breslov representative on hand.
The original debt, $100,000, has now mushroomed to $3 million, because of a clause in the contract stipulating a fee of 0.9% for each day the payment is delayed, as well as a fine of $2.5 million. The Breslov leaders maintain that the contract was signed in their name by a man who lacked the authority to represent them, and who did not consult with them beforehand.
Steps Have Been Taken
To resolve the crisis, which could lead to the auctioning off of the holy site to the highest bidder any day, the World Breslov Foundation has hired Israeli attorney Gilad Corinaldi. Corinaldi flew to Poland on Wednesday night, and has met with Israel's Ambassador in Ukraine and Tzfadiah Rachamim of New York, who has invested much of his own money in developing the site. U.S. Congressmen and diplomats have also been asked to become involved, and permission for a final judicial appeal has been filed in Ukraine's Supreme Court.
Corinaldi said, "Sites that are holy to various religions are not beholden to the regular rules, and are fully protected, according to international law, from business interests and pressures. The threat to appropriate the compound is illegal, a blatant violation of civil and communal rights and of the status quo there."
Just ten days ago, a Jewish school in Ukraine, Beit Simcha, was burned in an anti-Semitic attack.
Ukrainian President to Visit Israel
Next week, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is set to visit Israel, and the matter is likely to arise in his talks with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Thousands of Breslov Hassidim have already set off for Ukraine and plan to hold a giant rally there against the genuine threat that the site will be sold to interests who will turn it into a commercial enterprise, with entrance fees and the like.
Reburial in Israel?
Many in Israel have raised the option of interring Rebbe Nachman's remains in Israel. Though he specifically requested to be buried in Uman, amongst the many thousands of Jews who had been martyred there, and wrote that he would intervene in the Heavenly Court for anyone who visits his gravesite, voices continue to be raised in favor of transferring his remains to the holy land.
The story began four years ago, when the Breslov foundation that oversees the holy gravesite in Uman - to which tens of thousands Jews travel each year for special prayers - hired a company to reconstruct and expand the synagogue adjacent to the grave. A dispute broke out between the sides when the contracting company, owned by a Ukrianian Parliament Member, demanded payment, while the Jewish group claimed the services had never been proffered. The Ukrainian court ruled in favor of the contractor/politician; some of its hearings on the matter were held without a Breslov representative on hand.
The original debt, $100,000, has now mushroomed to $3 million, because of a clause in the contract stipulating a fee of 0.9% for each day the payment is delayed, as well as a fine of $2.5 million. The Breslov leaders maintain that the contract was signed in their name by a man who lacked the authority to represent them, and who did not consult with them beforehand.
Steps Have Been Taken
To resolve the crisis, which could lead to the auctioning off of the holy site to the highest bidder any day, the World Breslov Foundation has hired Israeli attorney Gilad Corinaldi. Corinaldi flew to Poland on Wednesday night, and has met with Israel's Ambassador in Ukraine and Tzfadiah Rachamim of New York, who has invested much of his own money in developing the site. U.S. Congressmen and diplomats have also been asked to become involved, and permission for a final judicial appeal has been filed in Ukraine's Supreme Court.
Corinaldi said, "Sites that are holy to various religions are not beholden to the regular rules, and are fully protected, according to international law, from business interests and pressures. The threat to appropriate the compound is illegal, a blatant violation of civil and communal rights and of the status quo there."
Just ten days ago, a Jewish school in Ukraine, Beit Simcha, was burned in an anti-Semitic attack.
Ukrainian President to Visit Israel
Next week, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is set to visit Israel, and the matter is likely to arise in his talks with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Thousands of Breslov Hassidim have already set off for Ukraine and plan to hold a giant rally there against the genuine threat that the site will be sold to interests who will turn it into a commercial enterprise, with entrance fees and the like.
Reburial in Israel?
Many in Israel have raised the option of interring Rebbe Nachman's remains in Israel. Though he specifically requested to be buried in Uman, amongst the many thousands of Jews who had been martyred there, and wrote that he would intervene in the Heavenly Court for anyone who visits his gravesite, voices continue to be raised in favor of transferring his remains to the holy land.