The highly anticipated brand new Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka in Crown Heights is nearing completion.
The diminutive street level entryway of the newly built Mikvah leaves visitors in for a surprise, as on the level below is a spacious 5,000 sq. ft. building, with exquisite marble, Italian tile and elegant black accents.
12-foot high ceilings and wide hallways add to the grandeur, with all the rooms fitted with the most modern and up to date fixtures.
While not yet completed, the main reception room will feature a custom made spiral staircase.
Rabbi Moshe Pinson, founder of the Bais Shmuel Chabad Congregation in Crown Heights who spearheaded this community Mikvah, explains simply, “The Rebbe wanted the women’s Mikvaos to be the most beautiful – b’Ruchnius and b’Gashmius.”
No expense was spared in the halachic aspect as well, with two Mivkaos being built in the most mehudar fashion, with the guidance of Rabbi Elozor Raichik and Rabbi Yirmiyahu Katz.
All the Crown Heights Rabbonim – including Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, Rabbi Yaacov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Braun – have given their hechsher as well.
“Most Mikvahs fill the bor with rainwater at the bottom and clean tap water at the top,” Pinson explains. “With the recent availability of special filters from Israel, ours will use only rainwater for the entire thing.”
The building contains extra reservoirs to hold enough rainwater to fill an entire Mikva in the event of an emergency and the Mikvah needs to be drained and refilled.
The top step of each Mikvah is still awaiting the special finishing touch – tiles from the Crown Heights women’s Mikvah on Union Street that was used by the Rebbe for many years. The tiles were a gift from Mrs. Rosalynn Malamud, who has been directing the Mikvah for nearly 30 years.
Pinson hopes the Mikvah will serve a dual purpose in the community. Aside from easing strain on the already overcrowded Mikvah on Union Street, the Mikvah will host tours for Chabad house members and groups from around the world, teaching about the beauty of the Mikvah and family purity.
“I’ve been around the world and visited hundreds of Mikvahs,” he says. “I have never seen one as beautiful as this one, anywhere.”
The Mikvah is nearing completion. Those who have not yet donated to the Mikvah, now is the last chance to get in on this huge zechus. Click here to donate.