In an unusual departure from his longstanding practice, Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, is expected to spend Rosh Hashanah this year in Uman, Ukraine, after a major American donor reportedly pledged a multimillion-dollar contribution to the Ateres Shlomo institutions on condition that the rosh yeshiva spend the Yom Tov with him there.

The highly unusual visit will bring one of the prominent roshei yeshiva in the Lithuanian Torah world to Uman, home of the tziyun of Rav Nachman of Breslov, where tens of thousands traditionally gather for Rosh Hashanah.

According to Kikar HaShabbat, the trip is connected to Rav Sorotzkin’s extensive fundraising efforts on behalf of the Torah and chesed institutions under his leadership.

In previous years, Rav Sorotzkin has spent the Rosh Hashanah period in the United States, remaining close to major donors and supporters as part of his efforts to shoulder the enormous financial burden of maintaining the Ateres Shlomo network.

Rav Sorotzkin has become known over the years for personally undertaking extensive fundraising efforts to sustain the institutions, raising substantial sums from supporters around the world.

This year, however, those plans reportedly changed following an extraordinary commitment from a wealthy American supporter who is close to Rav Sorotzkin.

According to the report, the donor pledged tens of millions of shekels to the institutions but attached an unusual condition to the contribution: Rav Sorotzkin would spend Rosh Hashanah together with him in Uman.

The amount involved is reportedly equivalent to several million dollars, making the pledge a particularly significant contribution toward the operating expenses of Ateres Shlomo.

As a result, Rav Sorotzkin is expected to fly to Uman and spend the days of Rosh Hashanah there alongside the donor.