With less than three weeks remaining before Rosh Hashanah, Breslov rabbanim and askanim reportedly held an emergency meeting to discuss how thousands of “draft evaders” subject to exit bans could potentially leave Eretz Yisroel for the annual Rosh Hashanah trip to Uman, Ukraine.

According to a report by Army Radio’s Mordechai Halperin, one proposal discussed would have the affected men report to IDF recruitment offices for their initial enlistment processing and indicate that they intend to proceed with joining the military.

The reported objective would be to have the restrictions preventing them from leaving the country lifted, allowing them to fly to Uman. According to the report, however, those involved would not actually intend to complete the enlistment process or ultimately join the IDF.

The issue was also discussed Tuesday night when Breslov rabbanim affiliated with the Ezrah V’Yiyutz organization met with Rav Shimon Shisha, an expert in dealing with IDF conscription matters.

Rav Moshe Kramer, one of the senior Breslov rabbanim, expressed confidence that Breslover Chassidim would once again reach Uman despite the difficulties.

“Every year they try to prevent Chassidim from traveling to Uman, and every year we manage to reach Uman one way or another,” he said, adding that “this year we will succeed as well.”

However, Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth Chareidi affairs correspondent Shilo Fried said the reported plan is unlikely to work.

“Good luck to those who came up with the idea, but someone who comes to the recruitment office and asks to enlist does not get the orders against him canceled, but is required to enter detention, serve a sentence for the evasion until now, and then enlist,” Fried said

“If Breslov Chassidim do this, they will be on Rosh Hashanah either in Prison 10 or in basic training. Not in Uman.”

Tens of thousands of Yidden from Eretz Yisroel and around the world travel to Uman each Rosh Hashanah to daven at the tziyun of Rav Nachman of Breslov.

The ongoing conscription crisis has created a significant new obstacle for Israeli travelers classified as “draft evaders” who have failed to comply with IDF draft orders and are consequently subject to restrictions on leaving the country.

Last year, dozens of Chareidi men were reportedly arrested at Ben Gurion Airport while attempting to travel to Uman after authorities determined they were wanted for failing to comply with military enlistment orders

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)