By COLlive reporter
Plans to build a Lubavitch women’s center in Crown Heights are underway with architectural designs already being drawn, COLlive has learned.
Already two years in the planning stages, the first phase of “The Crown Heights Bayit” will include a state-of-the-art mikvah (with a private entrance from Crown Street), spa and Olympic-sized swimming pool at a cost of an estimated at $2.5 Million.
It will occupy the first and basement floors of 556 Crown Street, Brooklyn, an apartment building that houses Bais Levi Yitzchak shul, a Simcha hall and Ohr Chana High School.
Owned by Machon Chana Women’s Institute, the building also serves as a temporary home to Congregation Merkaz Sefarad Chabad, junior N’shei Chabad and a small Simcha hall.
“We are in dire need for a woman’s and girl’s community center,” a source involved with the planning told COLlive.com.
“The plan is to have a fitness gym, daily classes, a cafe, gift shop and a playroom and program for infants,” she said. “And to expand the BLY shul and the Simcha hall.”
Joseph P. Spector, CEO of New York based Spector Design Company, has received the renovation contract.
Building committee members are Chaye Freida Kahan, Sima Gansburg, Tamar Pewsner, Aidel Sputz and Chaya Weinfeld.
Rabbi Levi Garelik of Crown Heights and mikvah expert Rabbi Gershon Grossbaum of Minnesota are advising the project.
A flyer promoting the center reads: “Imagine a women’s oasis in Crown Heights. A place where you can pamper your body, enrich your mind, elevate your soul and indulge your children.”
“All under one roof: Total immersion – both physically and spiritually, just steps away from home in the heart of Crown Heights.”
The flyer went on to say that dedications and naming opportunities are available and urged locals to get involved by calling Mrs. Kahan 718-774-0789 or [email protected]
To me it looks like there is an entrance and an exit on the right side of the building on crown st . I guess the others constitute the elevator and another, a staircase from the leftside which goes to the spa. I heard there is another one from the alley going directly to the mikvah side which is convenient if parking places can be rented from neighbors.
picture does show two entrances on crown st. ‘sooo separate and private’ -sarcastic. even if there is anotherentrance we can still SEE which one YOU”RE using!!!!
come on people.
Needed? Absolutely!
Creative? Sure!
Thoughtful? Good question!
General idea- GREAT.
Mikvah issue- REAL!
Good Luck!
YOU CAN DO IT!
WE BEG THAT YOU DO IT RIGHT!!!
Just wanted to say that LOOKING at the plan, there doesn’t seem to be any REAL separation from mikvah and pool; they seem to share open spaces (or glass separations). Stair cases seem to be sharing destanations. So unless I don’t know HOW to look at the plan that is a PROBLEM that everyone is concerned about and rightfully so. Another complaint about $$$ well, it won’t go up for 2.5 million(impossible) $25 million may actually be the right number(that I can’t really say forsure). If you can’t afford to help then don’t, if you don’t want to help then… Read more »
I guess you dont know what it feels like not to have something! With the hard times its not so easy to find a job. Wow i really never met someone who would even answer a Q like that. What if there is a family that the parents are divorce? Or One of the parents lost a job? You really think that is the best answer. I think you need to wake up and see what is really going on out there.
Most of the Mikvahs I have been to, are part of a community center. And yes, very often, “mikvah hour” coincides with “maariv hour”. Its very simple to make a separate and private entrance!! To all those who do not approve of the money being spent- why are “chabad houses” the only eligible ones for an esthetically appealing mikvah?? why should women cringe at the thought of using a dirty and old facility? Us women make many sacrifices for this integral Mitzvah, and I do believe we deserve to perform this mitzvah in a “regal” environment. I commend those who… Read more »
You’re right. You’re right. and, You’re also right. This was clearly a hot and most read article. Everyone’s opinion is important and valuable. This is the koach of 2010 to be able to hear everyone’s insight. The planners are planning big plans for the women of the community and it is great to hear what the women are saying.
if you would know how to read 2.5 mil not 25 mil
you can get a job and pay for food for your family and your rent
kol hakavod shkoyach!
Why don’t you take that money and help the families in C.H who don’t have money.. Or food on their table or cant pay for their house.. this is not the smartest way to spend waist 25 million!!!!
Location not such a great idea. Don’t think flyer should say “pamper your body.”
There seems to be two trains of thought some people think that a mikvah should be in a quiet place that way nobody can see you but on the other hand everybody driving or walking near by knows exactly what you are doing on Albany after sunset
The other option is to make it in a very public area that way nobody knows if you are going in to a lachaim or to the gym
I guess that’s why it’s good to have two mikvah’s to make everybody comfortable
beis rivka lefferts basement there is lot of space there quiet by night support a already made building with plumbing there electriciy…
E NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN IS A RLLY GOOD SPOT, I AGREE WITH #66.
A FRIENDLY TIP:
IF U MAKE A NICE MIKVAH – MAKE SURE PPL ARE COMFTORABLE USING IT.
we all know that when a traffic light when up on union and albany it was really rediculis i dont need to drive by and see my neighber or mother or siter coming out of the mikvah. the worst thing is now to go and make a mikvah on such a busiy corner do it on east new yourk and kingston ehre there is a empty lot, lots of aprking as well that is where the comunity is growing, its a sfe place, quiet and night, and none sees who is coming or going. as well it will obviously be… Read more »
Do I see see correctly, are there only 14 rooms to prepare in? If you are building a Mikvah for a large community, at least build it with enough space…
All I wanna know is, when will it be ready?
and trying to keep a positive and open minded outlook, I stll disagree with the location of the mikvah. The spa and gym and pool etc… sound great but don’t confuse the mikvah into all of this. You could have the most private entrance but let’s not deny reality that this is crown and albany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! buildings, yeshivos, simchas on all 4 corners. bad bad bad idea!!!! Either beautify the union street mikvah or build the beis shmuel mikvah or find another location and keep police men and guards there. I would not be interested in talking to people on the… Read more »
People will know what youre going in for, if you have no make up on or look like a ghost, i think everyone will know where and why youre going.
If youre make up is all made up then youre going for a simcha otherwise people will assume y youre there.
In reading the first paragraph I found the reference to the threesome: “women’s mikvah, spa and fitness center” jarring. I think they should be “marketed” separately. I find the “all under one roof” line unappealing. It makes me cringe since it doesn’t seem to afford the mikva the kavod it deserves. I go to the mikva for tahara, not to elevate my soul, and a mikva is not on a par with a spa and fitness center. I don’t agree with those who oppose having a mikva in a well-trafficked area as long as there is a discreet way to… Read more »
pehraps the idea is that you can say you are going for a massage and no one knows that you slip into the mik. and no one has to know….
Levi
Wow. What a stupid comment. Yes we all hope and pray Moshiach is coming anyday but if you really believe that there is no need for “temporary beautification” then you are very unaware of the youth in from our community. Open your eyes and you will see how many young “NEED” this. And there is nothn wrong with wanting to go to the Mikva in a nice place.
Some ppl will always complain. At least now there will be a choice. If you would like to go to the Mikva on Union Street… GO. Some Women would perfer to go to a Mikva that is clean and new and come home feeling like a dignified women.
the article does not say the donations are tax deductible. although there is probably a way to get tax receipts by making one part of the project not for profit. so that is not the final way to tell.
people would assume a project with a Mikveh is not for profit – but that is not a safe assumption.
if it is a for profit project – support should be in the form of loans or shares – not donations.
the article does not say how much they expect membership will be.
My g-d, all you out there trying to quiet down the privacy issue with the excuse of “stop being so cynical” or “stop being so negative”, go back to your psychiatrist or go to s. Fransico where the liberals like to just deny reality… If you can;t handle the heat get outta the kitchen, if you can’t handle the Truth/reality the you don’t belong in a debate, because contrary to your liberal beliefs, not everything that happens or is proposed in this world is all just perfect and excellent… Nobody is denying the CH is in dire need for a… Read more »
did nobody read the article??
it says clearly separate entrance for the mikvah- who said anything about bumping into ppl going to swim etc?
the yetzer hara will be there whenever something good is trying to get done, no need for u to enforce it,
If Moshiach is coming any moment, do we, in CH need a fancier mikve. What new clientele will it attract to the mitzvah? Why spend so much money on such a temporary beautification?
WHO would spend hours at the mikvah..first going, then go to the gym, the spa and pool? A mikvah where you can bring your children for babysitting? This is nuts! Women want to get in and then get back home as soon as possible. So much money for this stuff, when families can not pay tuition.
i see 14.
always ,nothing but negative remarks
by the way a little excercise would do some of you good
BS”D
sad
Please excuse my negative reaction, I think this is a horrendous idea, even though the intentions are good. How is it mutar to mix recreation with mikvah? This will undoubtedly cause a host of awkward situations. Meeting your teenage daughter, who knows you don’t have a ‘gym membership’ or going to a l’chaim without a stitch of makeup? The idea that ‘noone will know why you are going in’ is besides the point. Before or after going to the mikva is a private and thoughtful time, not the time to socialize. Also, the location is far too central! Whatever happened… Read more »
a person can walk into the building and it can be for the pool, fittness or mikva. so no problem about privicy…
From the looks of the drawing it will probably cost closer to $25 million. I’ll believe it will happen when I see it done.
all the negativity is a downer for something that would enrich our community’s hard working mothers. Everyone would benefit so greatly from the gym/spa/pool and 1st descent mikvah that’s long overdue in our neighborhood!!!
this is soooo long overdue
hatzlacha rabba v’muflaga in all that you do!
# 25 what makes you think that they will force all the families
out ? that would be insane.
I heard that they are starting to build as soon as plans get approved which is very shortly
i just hope the planners ignore all the naysayers
Yasher koach to those who got it down on paper. But bringing it to reality depends on all of us in the community. The need to have a beautiful women’s facility is tremendous and every day gone is avaida shaina chozeres… Building mikvoas precedes shuls…
May this be a beginning of many victories in the war of tznius, tahara,and kedusha in our schuna and throughout the world! giving the Rebbe the nachas He deserves.
The only issue I have is,, that there will only be two mikvaos and 12 bathrooms,, at least in the beginning until it gets destroyed, I am sure that it will be so packed,, the waiting will be horrendous!
Many hours of thought have gone into the planning and ensuring privacy. There are many different entrances (monitored) to ensure privacy and options. Wih modern technology- elevators are controlled different hours. The pool and spa are on the other side of the 12000 square space with separate access. The foremost concern is of course privacy. There are also sufficient private waiting areas planned. Also all men’s entrances to simcha hall and shul will be on Albany. Main entrance and Crown st exclusively for women. All imput is greatly appreciated. Keep it going.
weren’t there plans to build a mikveh on lefferts/troy?
think its a fantastic idea!
Hatzlocha Rabboh!
This is not happening so fast, by then you’ll be bubbys and it wont effect you. As the flier says “imagine”.
this is stuning i am sure the people who planed this and put it together thought about the privacy issue and r making sure this is the best plan possible 4 all……
Hello maybe the fact that its a public building with a lot of other things going on is a GOOD thing people dont have to know what you are going in for the pool,mikvah, cafe, l’chaim….its PERFECT!
this is a great idea, but keep the mikvah out of it and buid separately. I agree the community is need of a womens/girls center, but why with a Mikvah? The Mikvah needs to be in a totally separate location (in the outskirts of CH) and does not need to have the fitness center included with it.
This is a fantastic project for Crown Heights and much needed. I pray this happens and is completely quickly with all the Rebbe’s brochos.
And for everyone who is mocking the idea, I would certainly like to think the planners have addressed all of your concerns and I am confident it will be developed in a way that is kosher, tznius, etc.
Intelligent people are those who find answers, not just problems.
Wow, i cant believe this.. The Crown Height “Y” put so much money, time, and effort into the locker room.. Some people are so unappreciative! Anytime something good happens in C.H you will never hear Thank You or good Job, all you hear is one complaint after another…..
to have a mikvah in middle of crown heights its totally not tzniyus and takes away from the beauty of the mitzvah especially since crown and albany is the center of activity at night
if your gonna buil a mikvah build it somewhere else a little less crowded
Crown & Albany??? Are you kidding? Plans look beautiful, but I would rather use the old mikva on Union & Albany. I have been using it for 10 years now & rarely meet other people outside. It’s a very quiet area.
How do you know that no one will know if you haveto use the mivkah…………spa or whatever. If you are there and others are around in the same area for other reasons, its very LIKELY that you will be seen.
Some of us still like the concept of tnuius, privacy etc.
Woman will look around, walk around, tour the building untill its one big party!
until, they don’t see her at the lchaim or gym. or when she meets her friend walking in to the building who says” great, are you also going to so and so’s lchaim- I’ll walk in with you’. And then the poor lady has to lie and say- no, I’m going swimming (albeit, I have no bags with me)
this can get so amusing- is she dressed for a lchaim- does she have a wimming bag- does she look embarrased? I can go on and on…. maybe we can make a mendy pellin show about all the different circumstances 🙂
Housing is so expensive and hard to come by, what are all
the families that get kicked out of their apartments going to do,
why don’t they do this project on the empty lot right across the
Mikvah on Albany Ave., that would be a win win situation.
yay! cant wait!!
It’s a full fledge gym etc..it’s not like it’s only a mikvah so who cares if it’s near lechaim halls etc. No one will know if a woman is going in to use the gym, mikvah or swimming pool.
It’s probably better that way so it feels safer.
when u go into the building know one will know what ur going in for could be the cafe, swimming, or the mikva!! i think its a fantastic idea!!!
I can’t wait. What great plans. It will be very tznius. Since this will be a multi function building noone will know what you’re going for.. & btw the mikva on Union street is not very tznius. people are always walking by & that is only a 1 function building.
I agree with #4. And I presume they will kick out the two minyanim to create this gorgeous place?
Parking is impossible here already, so don’t bring your car. I can’t see them succeeding, they’ve never achieved too much so far even though they have great ideas & intentions. How will they raise the money? Not from me!
is the woman going to the mikva expected to use the pool -spa, the same day, before or after? something is missing in this plan which i dont grasp as yet
if this is for others, then why connect it with the mikva?
is this supposed to help tznius in any way.
are you trying to make the mikvah a public spectacle? is thia done in any other frum community, pray tell?
what difference does it make where it is, all over the world mikvas are near the boys yeshiva or a shul. sowhat are you complaining about just say about time we can have another mikva to go to
To # 1 and 4 Don’t be so pessimistic
You know how convenient it will be for ladies going to a lechaim. Come stop by say hi leave for an hour and no one will ever know you left.
to #3
In ALL seriousness to clarify things maybe Rabbi Garelik should publicize a letter explaining these issues that all residents are having.
Cool… glad I cancelled my gym membership.. no more excuses!!!
What ever happend to the Beis Shmuel womens mikva we heard so much about.
This plan is too ambitios. let’s keep the focus on a new mikva
Its all very nice,,, but where is Machon Chana in the building owned by Machon Chana Women’s Institute?
Very impressive. The Rebbe is certainly proud.
this is by far the best thing that ever happened to crown heights in recent times, god bless you this is worth living for
WOW
That looks amazing, what a beautiful addition to the community this will make. i hope it’s not all just dreams and wishes.
but were will they park!!!???
It’s amazing how Machon Chana tries to fill the needs of the community.
This will be amazing for CH
how does privacy fit into the picture? bring your teenage daughters with you to swim while you take a dip and the go upstairs to a lchaim. How convenient. And the men can pass by too.
Until now everyone made a big deal about privacy when going to the mikveh because a few people might see you going in. Now they’re building a community center where hundreds of people will be around to see who’s going to the mikveh???
Mazal Tov!! The women in crown heights absolutely deserve this!!!
to have a womans mikvah on crown and albany with the THREE lchaim halls right on that corner….