Farkash Family’s Tribute to Sister

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Leeba Farkash – LFPhotography

Three days before Yom Kippur, the Chabad Jewish community of Issaquah, Washington joined to celebrate the Chanukas Habayis of a beautiful new mikvah.

Issaquah stands out on the North American map as a prestigious, fast growing community. Major corporate behemoths such as Microsoft, Amazon and Costco are headquartered in and around this Seattle suburb.

Within the past decade or so, Issaquah’s Jewish community has grown from virtual nonexistence to a thriving community with a robust Chabad, under the leadership of Rabbi Berry and Nechama Farkash as well as Rabbi Shalom and Chani Zajac. There is a growing local Chabad preschool and nearly 120 children attended Gan Yisroel day camp this past summer.

Now, a mikvah – the foundation of taharah, the foundation of Jewish continuity – is located in the heart of town as well. The mikvah is beautiful and spacious, making taharah pleasant for all and, furthermore, attractive to countless potential new observers.

A special guest at the event was were Rabbi Farkash’s parents, Rabbi Yekusiel and Rebbetzin Rachel Farkash of Jerusalem. The senior Rabbi Farkash is a renowned posek and author of Sefer Taharah K’Halacha, among other seforim.

The event was particularly poignant for the Farkash family, as the new mikvah is named “Mikvah Mei Rivkah” in memory of Rabbi Berry’s sister, who tragically passed away last year. Emotional remarks about Riki Farkash OBM were shared by her father and her brother, Dudi Farkash.

Rabbi Yitzchok Bistritzky, Founder and President of Mikvah USA, traveled to Issaquah to personally partake in the momentous event. He addressed the Issaquah community, pleading with them to make the most of this beautiful new addition. “Mikvah is the foundation of our People,” he exclaimed. “From generation to generation, we embrace it as holy and precious.”

The Mikvah was built with the support and assistance of Harav Hagoen Reb Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Sheindl Raitport from Brooklyn NY. Rabbi Raitport who is a world renowned Mechaber Sdorim and Rosh Kolel built and supported many Mikvaot around the world. The Issaquah Mikvah as well received the Raitport assistance to complete the project.