Tzvi Bogomilsky, 36, a resident of Florida, is the man behind what some would call the largest hachnasas orchim operation in the world, playing a major role in Uman’s Rosh Hashanah event hosted by Breslov.

The project began modestly about a decade ago, involving a kiddush for the visitors, then numbering a few thousands. Bogomilsky realized that many if not most of the yomtov guests arrived with cans of food, unable to arrange for a suitable yomtov meal. Hence the birth of the kiddush towards enhancing yomtov for those spending Rosh Hashanah at Rav Nachman’s Kever.

One thing led to another and the relatively modest events of a decade ago have mushroomed into today’s reality, but the process was not an easy one. For one thing, there simply was insufficient space to prepare, serve and host the guests. This year, a plot of land was purchased, about 15 dunams (3.75 acres), permitting the kitchen and large tents for guests.

Including the kiddush, an estimated 11,000 will benefit from this project. There are 4,000 seats in each tent and meals are served in two shifts. The food alone costs about $300,000.

Some facts surrounding this operation include;

There are 15 containers of food sent from Israel, the USA and China.
100,00 full meals are served (including fish, chicken, meat and side dishes)
There are 800 workers which include 200 volunteers from the USA, 100 from Breslov communities in France and 500 locals (Ukrainians)
25,000 tons of salads are served
100,000 rolls (from the USA)
35,000 tons of cakes and cookies (from the USA)
The kitchen operates under the supervision of Rabbi Meir Siruta
The head chef is Natan Mordechai Lichtenstein
In total, over 250 tons of food, disposable items and kitchen equipment is sent from America, China and Israel.

Tzvi was born and raised in Crown Heights. His father, a prominent rav on Chabad’s International Vaad HaRabbonim. About 16 years ago, Tzvi launched a restaurant in Miami, and was quite successful. He rapidly became a prominent figure in the community, becoming active in local politics as well. His big success came however from his rehab and health center and senior citizens’ care. He met with Eliezer Scheiner, and that union led to the hachnasas orchim in Uman after they were in Uman about a decade ago, realizing the situation and the need.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)