Newly renovated mikvah now ready

KEREN SHIP SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

The word mikvah means "gathering of the waters." Which waters? The waters of Gan Eden of course! Despite some popular misconceptions, dipping in the mikvah has nothing at all to do with bodily cleanliness. In fact one has to scrupulously clean before immersing. It's all about spiritual renewal. A convert emerges from the mikvah with a brand new Jewish soul, men immerse in spiritual preparation before facing their Maker on Yom Kippur. Even new dishes should be immersed in the mikvah. However, the most important function for the mikvah is the continuation of the Jewish people. A married woman immerses in the mikvah before renewing intimacy with her husband after a separation of about 12 days of her menstrual cycle. Ultra Orthodox families and even not-so-observant families delight in the observance of the mikvah mitzvah.

According to Rivka Slonim, in the introduction to her book Total Immersion, A Mikvah Anthology (Aronson, 1996), it's never too late to begin this mitzvah. Every mikvah lady has stories to tell about women clients who's infertility problems were solved by starting to use the mikvah. Even post-menopausal women are encouraged to continue the tradition. Its beneficial effects include blessings on the marriage and on the children.

Around the world, mikvaot range from functional to beautiful, from holes in the ice to a full service spa. Archeologists continue to unearth mikvah pools from the dawn of Jewish history that were built to exactly the same specifications that we use today – essentially 40 seah (about 200 gallons) of natural water contained in the ground. The pool is connected by two holes to a much larger pool of water (which can be changed, chlorinated, filtered and heated) where the actual immersion takes place.

The mikvah is considered so essential to Jewish communal life that Jewish law allows that a synagogue or a Torah scroll may be sold to raise funds for the construction. In her book, Slonim includes several stories about the extreme lengths taken by European Jewry during the war years to continue observance even when death penalties were imposed for mikvah use.

Congregation Schara Tzedeck has had a mikvah almost since its inception. In 1911, Vancouver's first Orthodox rabbi, Rabbi David Belasoff, arrived. In the seven years in which he was here, he set about directing the construction of a new shul, an aron kodesh (still in use today) and a mikvah. When the congregation outgrew its shul on the corner of Heatley and Pender Streets and moved to its present location on Oak at 19th Avenue in 1948, a new mikvah was installed.

Almost 30 years passed until, in the mid-'70s, the mikvah was renovated as part of a synagogue remodelling. Rosalie Segal is credited with the success of the renovations, including the mikvah, interfacing with the architects and builders to ensure a successful project.

Another 30 years later, another aishet chayil (woman of valor) spent last spring and summer supervising architects and builders on a daily basis. Hadley Baumol, rebbetzin of Congregation Schara Tzedeck, arrived in Vancouver to find Vivian Claman and Rabbi Yosef Wosk strategizing a plot to satisfy the longing among mikvah users for a new facility. Wosk was instrumental in having the Schara Tzedeck board approve the concept and in kick-starting the process with a generous donation. Baumol joined the effort and, supported by all community synagogues, was soon spending her days at the construction site.

"The mikvah was functional but, at 30 years old, it was no longer beautiful," she said. "We were convinced that a nicer facility would lead to more women enjoying the mitzvah."

In anticipation of increased patronage, as the mikvah serves the entire community, the plans included an expansion into the shul basement to build two preparation rooms.

Renee and Jonathon Katz of Katz Design were hired as the architects. They had already designed a mikvah in South Africa. The finished project is a beautiful combination of mahogany cabinetry, granite counter tops, glass shower doors, slate floors and showers, and a luxurious sunken bathtub. Julius Steinberg, president of Schara Tzedeck, said, "This is like the bathroom in a five star hotel. We must work hard to keep it this way!" Women from all over North America have declared it the prettiest that they have ever seen.

The construction was completed during August 2002. The actual mikvah pool itself was not replaced but it was drained for cleaning, resulting in only two days when the mikvah was not operational.

The schedule was made possible by the involvement and generosity of many of people: the mikvah users who endured the lack of a bathroom or even walls or doors for much of the time; Victor Meyer, house chairman, and the hard-working staff at Schara Tzedeck, who endured the usual stresses of construction and helped the electricians and plumbers with their installations; and the architects, builders and suppliers who discounted their services and supplies. These included MacIntyre Construction (contractor), Pamas Stone (slate), World Mosaic (tiles) and Robinson Lighting (bathroom fixtures and light fittings). Safe and Secure donated the exterior security door.

Happily, there was no need to sell the shul or the Torah scroll. However, the project was expensive. Although funds are required to pay for the renovation costs and establish a fund for future requirements, much of the money was raised thanks to our generous donors. They will be honored at an evening champagne fund-raising event to be held in the Wosk Auditorium at Schara Tzedeck on May 20, at 7 p.m. The evening will include catering provided and supported by Jody's Fine Foods, mikvah tours, a silent auction and a keynote address by Dr. Lisa Aiken, a renowned author and psychologist who will deliver the lecture, The Jewish Way to a Fulfilling Sex Life.

The major donors to be honored at the event include the Diamond Foundation, the Jewish Community Foundation, the Schara Tzedeck cemetery board, Evelyn and Leon Kahn, Rosalie and Joseph Segal, Rabbi Yosef Wosk, Isabelle and Charles Diamond, Izzy Fraeme, Elaine, Zev and Anita Shafran, Gerry Biely, Dr. Israel Moskovitch, Anita and Arnold Silber, Izzy and Shiela Moskovitch, Ellen and Dr. David Freedman, congregations Shaarey Tefilah and Temple Sholom.

Tickets for the event are $25 each. To reserve a space or make a donation, call the Schara Tzedeck office at 604-736-7607.

Keren Ship is co-chair of the Schara Tzedeck mikvah committee.

^TOP