In 1940, as war engulfed Europe, the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, visited Gothenburg, the last European city graced with the presence of a Lubavitcher Rebbe during his nesius.
From the port of Gothenburg, the Frierdiker Rebbe boarded the SS Drottningholm for his voyage to the safety of the United States.
Yet even in that moment of upheaval, his thoughts were with the future of Jewish life in Sweden.
In a letter written to Rabbi Hazdan, the Frierdiker Rebbe urged that a mikveh be built in Gothenburg, planting a seed for Jewish continuity that would span generations.
A Vision Continued
By the 1980s, Scandinavia (the Nordic countries of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland) still had no shluchim.
One couple who wrote to the Rebbe regarding shlichus in Sweden received the response:
“It is not yet the time.”
Another couple received the answer:
“It is not yet a place for a young couple”
(possibly referring to the absence of a mikveh.)
In 1987, the Rebbe sent Rabbi Avrohom Gluck ע״ה of London to visit Gothenburg to build a mikveh.
Mr Posen of London, a renowned expert was commissioned by the Rebbe to build mikvaos on more than one occasion. Under his direction, the mikveh was eventually constructed on Storgatan, in the basement of a large building owned by the community.
On the modest donor plaque outside the original mikveh, listed alphabetically under the letter “L,” appears a simple yet profound entry:
“The Rabbi of Lubavitch.”
In 1991, the Rebbe sent Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar as Shluchim to establish Chabad of Sweden.
They were sent to Gothenburg, called “the Heart of Scandinavia,” due to its central location. The last European city visited by a Rebbe during his nesius now became the starting point of a new era of Jewish growth in the region.
Today, Baruch Hashem, there are four flourishing Chabad centers in Sweden, two in neighboring Denmark, as well as Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
With the arrival of the Shluchim, the mikveh began to be used regularly, serving for over two decades as a vital resource for the growing number of women committed to this foundational mitzvah.
A New Chapter
By 2011, the potential sale of the original building – along with the need for a modern facility – led to the construction of a new mikveh at the Chabad House.
The project was carried out under the guidance of renowned mikveh expert Rabbi Gershon Grossbaum of Minnesota.
While the mikveh has faithfully served the community in Sweden for the past 15 years, certain aspects of its construction were never fully completed, and over time, significant renovations became necessary.
Today, that long-standing vision is entering a transformative new phase.
Building Beauty and Sanctity
“Our Rebbeim were also very explicit about making a mikveh aesthetically beautiful. If even one additional woman has a more pleasant experience while using the Mikveh, it’s worth all the trouble…it will have an everlasting impact on generation upon generations to come.”
Sicha 13 Tishrei 5743
The mikveh is now being expanded and meticulously renovated into a beautiful, spa-like environment.
Planned features include:
• A large, softly illuminated mikveh pool
• A beautifully designed preparation area, including a glass fronted jacuzzi to enhance comfort and dignity.
• A new entrance leading to an elegant stone arch with bronze accents, opening into a serene and tranquil space
• Architectural elements incorporating Jerusalem stone, reflecting timeless holiness
The renovation is designed by renowned IKEA designer Olga Popyrina. Her vision blends warmth, beauty, and spiritual sensitivity—creating a space where every woman can feel uplifted and at peace.
Be Part of This Historic Moment
We invite you to partner with us in bringing this vision of 2 Rebbeim to completion:
• Support the renovation
• Partner in this sacred project
• Help secure the future of Jewish life in Gothenburg
Together, we can transform a long-standing vision into a living reality.
Donate today, any amount helps!
Charidy.Com/mikvesweden
