ALANA BARANOV
The Shalom Mikvah Complex, comprising luxury and private men’s and women’s mikvahs as well as a convenient keilim mikvah [for utensils], was officially opened with a special ceremony on December 14 last year – 14 Kislev 5777.
Situated next door to the Chabad in Umhlanga Outreach and Activity Centre, shul and Umhlanga Kosher Guest House in the heart of Umhlanga, the event celebrating these world class facilities was attended by many locals as well as an illustrious list of rabbonim from the South African Jewish community and beyond.
Rabbi Meir Posen, world expert and halachic authority on mikvahs; Rabbi Anton Klein from the Beth Din in Johannesburg; Rabbi Michael Katz, co-director of Chabad House in Johannesburg; Rabbi Sholom Ber Groner, rav of the Chabad community in South Africa and halachic authority, all attended.
Together with Rabbi Posen, South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein shared a few words of congratulations on the auspicious occasion and highlighted the importance of a mikvah for the growth and spiritual development of a community.
Rabbi Goldstein also mentioned what a great resource the mikvah would be to the hundreds of holidaymakers who flock to Umhlanga and Chabad in Umhlanga to experience Reb Shlomo and Devorah’s famous hospitality.
The Wainers’ tireless work to keep the shul going throughout the year and to offer a wide variety of learning facilities, family activities and outreach work, came in for special praise.
Rabbi Jared Garber took the opportunity to make a Siyyum on the Mishnayos that his study group had been learning since the start of the mikvah building – a special way to mark the completion of the mikvah project.
“Sometimes you do one mitzvah and others come around,” said Rabbi Garber.
John and Anna Moshal were presented with a gift of appreciation from Reb Shlomo for their financial assistance with the ambitious project. John Moshal emphasised the wonderful work done by the Wainers and the role that Judaism and its values has played in his family’s philanthropic work.
Reb Shlomo thanked all those who had played a role in seeing the mikvah dream come true. He mentioned the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s vision to make Yiddishkeit accessible to each and every Jew and that one should strengthen one’s own structures, which are built on sincerity and purity, on Torah and mitzvahs, even if it needs actual mesirus nefesh or sacrifice for that good.
He also paid tribute to project manager David Unterslak and the many architects and builders for their hard work.
Reb Shlomo said there was still a chance to be a part of this important mitzvah; contributions to the mikvah fund are still being accepted and no amount is too big or too small.
* For more information and to make an online contribution, check out the website www.mikvahrocks.co.za. Ladies mikvah by appointment only. Call Devorah on 072-775-7753.
