Mikvah Maayan Ganim opened this Cheshvan at the Great Park Synagogue, Johannesburg with hundreds of guests in attendance.
Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein brought greetings and spoke about the centrality of the Mikvah to Jewish continuity. A video including interviews highlighting the importance of Mikvah was dedicated to the Rebbe.
Rabbi Dovid Hazdan drew attention to the fact that the Mikvah is being opened in the Centennial Year of the congregation and in the Bar Mitzvah year of its magnificent new campus. He emphasized that whilst we stand at the end of 100 years of history, we more importantly stand at the threshold of 100 years of tomorrow. The tone and course ahead must be infused with our connection to Hashem and to holiness that is achieved by a Mikvah.
The name Maayan Ganim Wellspring of the Gardens is taken from Shir Hashirim. It alludes to our ability to bring water to the parched and desolate field and to infuse it with vitality and life. Rashi comments that it is an analogy for righteous women who embrace the holy Mitzvah of Taharas Hamishpacha.
The Mikvah project was driven by young dynamic women and has already inspired tens of women to embrace the Mitzvah. Shiurim on Taharas Hamishpacha have been arranged.
The Mikvah includes a huge vestibule which will be used to introduce the beauty of the Mikvah to groups of women and to high school students.
The Mikvah has been dedicated to the memory the the Rebbes Shluchim, Gavi and Rivky Holtzberg, who committed their lives to bring the vitality and joy of Torah and Mitzvos to Mumbai. They gave their lives al Kiddush Hashem on Rosh Chodesh Kislev almost 4 years ago. Their Mesirus Nefesh reverberates in hundreds of thousands of hearts throughout the world.
Little booklets of Tefillos and Tehillim were printed as gifts for all who visit the Mikvah.
May Mikvah Maayan Ganim continue to inspire hundreds of women to embrace Taharas Hamishpacha and hasten the coming of Moshiach.