Hasidic Jews 'Homeward Bound From the (High) Holiday'

Ever year an est. 40,000 Jews of the Hasidic Sect, who are followers of the long--dead Rabbi Nachman of Breslow -- descend on Uman, Ukraine for the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) holiday and after a week return home mostly to Israel and also other countries where Sect followers live-- primarily the US. The sojourn to venerate Rebbe Nachman, whose teachings founded the sect's beliefs, is limited to men (including 'men' -- Jewish youths 13 and older who have had a Bar Mitzvah), but forbidden for women - the sect is misogynistic. Sect members are distinguishable by their garb --,the broad-brimmed hat and long, black waistcoats -- and bears for many older men with unshorn tonsures (hair at the 'corners' ) -- above the temples, often worn in curls. Rabbi Nachman died in the early 1800s in the town in which he taught, Breslow, Ukraine, now called Uman, south of Kyiv. Photos are taken at Kyiv's Borispil Airport showing Hasidim waiting anxiously for their planes home after the week-long celebration of feasting, kibitizing, dancing and prayer --- features of the annual holiday and veneration of their founder. jc (John Crosley)