Toronto Mesivta Dedicates New Mikvah in Memory of Shmuel Karnowsky

By Libby Herz – COLlive

The bochurim of Toronto’s Mesivta and Yeshiva urgently needed their own mikvah. Toronto, with its limited number of Mikvaos, had been accommodating between 150-175 bochurim in spaces built for up to ten people. This often resulted in discomfort and overcrowding.

Upon learning of the bochurim’s plight, R. Osher and Rivkah Karnowsky of Crown Heights, generously undertook this project in memory of their beloved son, Shmuel Karnowsky OB”M whose Yartzeit is this week, on the 28th of Sivan.

Amidst the challenge of finding a spacious mikvah for the bochurim, the Mesivta faced an additional setback when COVID-19 forced the closure of nearly all Mikvaos in Toronto. With all mikvahs closed, the Mesivta was resigned to the use of a single hot tub in a garage while keeping strict COVID protocols.

Once the pandemic was over, the Mesivta boys were eager for mikvaos to re-open, but unfortunately, most mikvaos remained closed. The lack of access to a proper Mikvah remained a big issue for the Talmidim, and the Hanhala of Toronto’s Mesivta were desperate for a private mikvah for the bochurim.

The Mesivta Menahel Rabbi Zalman Oster spent months reaching out to various people, but found it very challenging to find substantial donors. Finally, he approached R. Osher and Rivkah Karnowsky, the parents of Shmuel, who was suddenly taken from this world when he was only sixteen years-old. When the couple heard about the Toronto bochurim’s situation, they were happy to help.

The Karnowskys generously funded the construction of a Mikvah for Toronto’s Mesivta in memory of Shmuel, OB”M.

“Dedicating a mikvah for these boys and supporting their chassidishe growth, is a meaningful way to honor my son’s memory,” says Mrs. Rivkah Karnowsky. “My Shmuel was the same age as these boys when he was taken from us, and I would have loved for him to have a comfortable Mikvah.”

The project involved manually digging out the Mesivta’s dormitory basement (thank you to all the talmidim who assisted with this), which was originally a boiler room, and undertaking substantial reorganization and construction. Despite these hurdles, the Mikvah was successfully completed this past summer. Now fully operational, the Mikvah, named Mikvah Shmuel, offers spacious facilities including many showers. It is an essential resource for all the boys, who use it daily with convenience and ease.

Generous contributors include dear friends of the Mesivta Mr. Oren and Neely Antebi, who donated in memory of Oren’s father Mr. David Antebi, and Mr. Idan and Lee-Ann Cohen who donated in honor of the Bochurim. Thank you for always being ready to help. As well, Mr. Ariel and Elizabeth Mashiyev contributed generously through the Mashiyev Family Foundation, in memory of the Ribnitzer Rebbe who was known for his amazing mesiras nefesh for going to the Mikvah daily in communist Russia. As well, a generous contribution was made in memory of Reb Menachem Aharon ben Reb Yosef Hakohen.

Rabbi Oster and staff would like to personally thank all the donors in the name of all Talmidim using the Mikvah daily. May the Merit of so many tmimim using the Mikvah, be a source of blessing to all of the generous donors and their families.