Joburg Women Open ‘Spa Mikvah’

By COLlive reporter

Hundreds of guests took part in the inauguration of Mikvah Ma’ayan Ganim in Johannesburg located at South Africa’s Great Park Synagogue on Sunday.

The synagogue’s Rabbi Dovid Hazdan drew attention to the fact that the Mikvah is being opened in the Centennial Year of the congregation and in the Bar Mitzvah year of its magnificent new campus.

He emphasised that while we stand at the end of 100 years of history, we more importantly stand at the threshold of 100 years of tomorrow. The tone and course ahead must be infused with our connection to Hashem and to holiness that is achieved by a Mikvah.

The name Ma’ayan Ganim – “Wellspring of the Gardens” is taken from Shir Hashirim. It alludes to our ability to bring water to the parched and desolate field and to infuse it with vitality and life. Rashi comments that it is an analogy for righteous women who embrace the holy Mitzvah of family purity.

Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein brought greetings and spoke about the centrality of the Mikvah to Jewish continuity and then a video including interviews highlighting the importance of Mikvah was dedicated to the Rebbe.

The Mikvah project was driven by young dynamic women and has already inspired tens of women to embrace the Mitzvah. Shiurim on Taharas Hamishpocho have been arranged.

The Mikvah includes a huge vestibule which will be used to introduce the beauty of the Mikvah to groups of women and to high school students.

The Mikvah has been dedicated to the memory of the Rebbe’s Shluchim, Gavi and Rivky Holtzberg, who committed their lives to bring the vitality and joy of Torah and Mitzvos to Mumbai.

“They gave their lives al Kiddush Hashem on Rosh Chodesh Kislev almost 4 years ago. Their Mesirus Nefesh reverberates in hundreds of thousands of hearts throughout the world,” Rabbi Hazdan said.

Little booklets of Tefillos and Tehillim were printed as gifts for all who visit the Mikvah.

For more information visit their website at www.greatpark.co.za