It all began at a Beis Iyar farbrengen in Los Angeles with West Coast Head Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, where he encouraged Shluchim to step up and commit to building a Mikvah.
Rabbi Aryeh Lang of Chabad of Camarillo embraced this huge undertaking.
After a few years of working with architects and the city to get building permits, and a lengthy search to find the right contractor- someone who understood the holiness of a mikvah and the importance of halachic requirements, as well as quality workmanship- the project was on its way!
With funding from Mikvah USA, they broke ground on Gimmel Tammuz 2021, and with many generous partners including a grant from Merkoz Mikvah Grants, the magnificent mikvah was completed mid-Teves of this year.
The closest Mikvaos to the Camarillo Mikvah are in Oak Park, which is 20 miles south, and in Santa Barbara, which is 56 miles north.
On Sunday, 29th of Shevat, January 22nd, Chabad of Camarillo celebrated this milestone achievement of a mikvah with a grand opening and women’s spa for the soul.
Just two weeks before the opening there was not enough rain to fill all the Boros.
But two weeks before, they also needed sunshine to pave the parking lot and finish construction!
Miraculously, it rained for two weeks before the opening, in historic proportions, unseen in decades, completely filling all the Boros.
The miracle then continued, as the skies got clear and sunny for the few remaining days needed to install the pavers in the driveway leading up to the mikvah!
The mikvah has been in operation since the grand opening, to the delight of many clients.
The Camarillo Mikvah came to fruition through the tremendous support of so many!
Mikvah USA
Merkoz Mikvah Grants
Mikvah Name: Melly & Rochelle Lifshitz
Room Dedicators: Baruch Ben Reuvein Cohen, The Herzog Family at Herzog Winery, Yekusiel and Hindi Kalmenson, Ezra & Lauren Kest, Lee & Leora Lewis
And many other generous partners from California, NY, and beyond
The Mikvah Committee:
Motty Herzog
Leora Lewis
Jeff Presser
Designer:
Rivka Baitelman
Builder:
Shai Butel Construction
Fits the region
Camarillo is so fortunate to have the great shliach Rabbi Lang as their Rabbi.
What a soothing and elegant mikvah. The design is beautiful and will surely enable many to keep this special Mitzvah.
To the entire LANG / Simmons Families
The Camarillo Jewish community is very lucky to have Rabbi and Mrs. Lang!
So beautiful! The design is impeccable!
Rivkah Baitelman you always do a spectacular job!! Mazal tov Leah, so beautiful to see a dream come to life!