UMAN — A new volunteer initiative is operating across Uman as growing numbers of Yidden arrive for the annual Rosh Hashanah kibbutz, providing practical assistance to visitors throughout the city.

The initiative, known as “Uman Sheli” — “My Uman,” has organized volunteers and a series of services aimed at assisting the large crowds arriving in the Ukrainian city.

Among the services already operating is a fleet of small tuk-tuk vehicles helping older and exhausted visitors travel from arriving buses toward their accommodations, particularly along the steep streets surrounding the main areas of the kibbutz. Current footage from Uman shows one of the vehicles in operation.

The initiative has also established a volunteer headquarters on Pushkina Street, where volunteers can be directed to various needs throughout the kibbutz. Other projects include assistance and refreshment points, distribution efforts, helping maintain seforim in learning areas, and a large-scale cleanliness initiative.

As part of the cleanliness effort, organizers purchased 2,000 large disposable trash receptacles for placement around Uman, with local municipal workers reportedly cooperating in the ongoing removal and replacement of the bags.

The volunteer operation comes as thousands of mispallelim are already gathering in Uman and preparations intensify throughout the area surrounding Reb Nachman's tziyun ahead of Rosh Hashanah.