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According to Jewish law, husbands
and wives are not permitted physical
contact during the time of the
woman's menses and for seven "days of
purity" thereafter. Following this peri-
od of separation, intimacy may resume
only after the wife has immersed in a
mikva, a special pool of a specific size
with a source of natural water.
Due to its private nature, mikva
usage is shrouded in secrecy, with
laws of observance traditionally
taught to new brides before mar-
riage. Although the mikva welcomes
married Jewish women regardless of
affiliation, Orthodox women are the
primary users.
In 1947, when Rebbetzin Gitel
Gruskin began the first mikva
women's organization, there were
about 50 Detroit women involved.
Today, the Women's Orthodox
League has nearly 1,000 members.
"There's been a logarithmic growth
trend," said Moskowitz. "Just between
1989 and 1998, there was a 50 per-
cent increase in mikva usage. We've
been trying to get this new mikva for
10 years."
Mikvah Israel President Hillel
Abrams concurred: "Our current

mikva is serving more than four
times the number of people original-
ly anticipated."
As opposed to the current mikva's
four changing rooms, the new mikva
will have 18 rooms, including a room
for .disabled women and a special
room for new brides.
Plans for tite new mikva began in
July 1997. Cognizant of the impor-
tance of a new mikva to serve and
further anchor the Oak
Park/Southfield Jewish community,
the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's banking/real
estate arm, the United Jewish
Foundation, arranged for the grant
of the building site. UJF is leasing it
to Mikvah Israel at $1 a year for 99
years.
"The leadership of the Federation
and the Foundation were extremely
helpful in moving the project for-
ward," Torgow said.
Money for the mikva's construction
has been raised through WOL fund-
raisers and community appeals. The
majority of Detroit's Orthodox fami-
lies have contributed a minimum of
$1,000 each to the new rnikva.
Combined with the Zuroff family's

dedication of the building, the pledge
amount now tops $1 million. Still,
Friedman said, "we're about $300,000
short."
Because of the funding crunch,
construction will be in two phases,
with completion of eight of the regu-
lar changing rooms postponed until
the shortfall can be erased.
Other dedication opportunities will
be solicited. Renowned guest speaker
Rabbi Berel Wein of Israel will be
appearing at an upcoming parlor
meeting to help raise the remaining
money needed for the project. El

Learn About
Mikva

Women interested in learning
the laws of mikva and family
purity, may call WOL President
Reva Rivlin, (248) 968-3981.
Those interested in a tour of the
new mikva should call Mikvah
Israel Board Chairman Saul
Weingarden, (248) 557-6461.

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