Sanctifying The Mitzvah Of Mikvah

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I have been very much involved with the Bukharian community for over 25 years. I have seen the community take leaps and bounds after the destruction sowed by Communist Russia. However, the growth we are seeing now is different.

Up until a few years ago, the growth was focused more on restoring the crown of Bukharian Jewry in the basics of Torah and Avodah. Now, even though there continues to be progress in those areas, we are also seeing a new kind of progress; the community is becoming more and more self-sufficient. We are today exactly where the Syrian Jewish Community was 25 years ago. Their community began in the mid. 1930’s and ours began in the 1970’s, so we are doing very well.

The mikvot at Beth Gavriel have become as it rightfully was envisioned – the center of Jewish living. Without a mikvah, there cannot be a Jewish family according to halachah. This is also why it is so important that all the fine details of the halachot regarding mikvah are performed properly.

In order to ensure this, I checked the pipes used to transfer the water, the location on the roof which is collecting the rainwater, the pits in the ground adjacent to the mikvot which will contain the rainwater, and all the other various but important details. These mikvot are not just luxury, but halachically sound; this is the awesome goal that we successfully achieved.

The mikvot follow the guidelines set forth in the halachah. We are proud that everyone who uses these mikvot have a clear understanding of what is required. Also, clarity requires uniformity, and this is why the guidelines are also used by the entire mikvah staff.

The men’s Beth Gavriel mikvah is open 4 a.m. until 11:45 daily, until 30 minutes before Shabbat on Fridays, and until 10 a.m. on Shabbat. The women’s mikvah is open daily 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., Fridays by appointment, and one hour after Shabbat until 11:30 p.m. You may reach the mikvah at (718) 414-2090, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..