C o m m un i ty

Spirituality

The Detroit Jewish
community's newest
mikvah, located in
Oak Park.

Following this period of separation, intimacy may
resume only after the wife has immersed in a mik-
vah, a special pool of a specific size with a source of
natural water.
"The observance of Taharat HaMishpachah
enhances and beautifies the relationship between
husband and wife, and strengthens the marriage and
the family," said Reva Rivlin, WOL president. "It's a
special responsibility, given only to the Jewish
woman, that assures the continuity of the Jewish
family and, ultimately, the Jewish nation."
Although observance of the laws usually begins at
marriage, "it is never too late to start," said
Rebbetzin Braunstein.
She continued her talk with emotionally moving
stories about women new to observing family purity
laws. She also told stories underscoring the impor-
tance of mikvah in the Jewish community.

Takes Tour

Women

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SUSAN TAWIL
Special to the Jewish News

A

s they await the opening of Detroit Jewry's
newest community mikvah, the Women's
Orthodox League paid tribute to support-
ers of the new ritual immersion facility
and welcomed 70 new members.
WOL promotes observance of family purity laws
and helps raise money to support the mikvah.
Members include virtually the entire Orthodox
community of metropolitan Detroit.
More than 400 women attended the annual
membership event on Jan. 16 at the Southfield
Centre for the Arts. Rebbetzin Zahavah Braunstein
spoke on the importance of Taharat HaMishpachah,
of family purity through the mikvah laws.
Rebbetzin Braunstein, principal of Ateret Torah
high school in Brooklyn, was introduced by mikvah
attendant Leah Lange as "the ideal model of a Jewish

woman."
In her dynamic speaking style, sprinkled liberally
with humor, Rebbetzin Braunstein held the rapt
attention of her audience as she related inspiring sto-
ries involving the mitzvah of mikvah observance.
Although she has taught Taharat HaMishpachah
to thousands of new kallahs (brides) over the past 28
years, the rebbetzin told of her initial reluctance to
begin teaching the laws.
"It was because of the tremendous responsibility
of teaching this mitzvah properly," she said. "The
laws of Taharat HaMishpachah are in a league of
their own."

Previous to her talk, the rebbetzin toured Oak Park's
new state-of-the-art mikvah. Named in memory of
beloved Southfield resident Joanne Zuroff, the beau-
tiful, $1.6-million facility is scheduled to open in
February.
Rebbetzin Braunstein gave accolades to the metro
Detroit community for its support of the mikvah.
She said it was a true fulfillment of Zeh Kali
v'Anveyhu ("This is my God and I will glorify
Him"), a biblical verse that alludes to the beautifica-
tion of mitzvot.
The new mikvah was built by Detroit's Orthodox
community to better serve its growing population,
which now numbers more than 1,000 families.
Mikvah Israel and the Women's Orthodox League
raised the building funds; Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit donated the land near the
Young Israel of Oak Park. A WOL "shower" held in
October raised $15,000 for towels, robes and other
accoutrements for the new mikvah.

Meeting Demand

The current mikvah, built in 1962, now services
more than quadruple the number of women it was
originally intended to accommodate.
Whereas the old mikvah has four preparation
rooms, the new mikvah is equipped with 16, in
addition to a bridal preparation room and a special
needs, barrier-free preparation room.
The latest technological advances have been
incorporated into the building to ensure security,
privacy, hygiene and comfort, while meeting the
strictest Halachic standards of mikvah construction.
The mikvah is open to any married Jewish woman,
regardless of affiliation, who wishes to observe the
laws of family purity.

❑

Taharat

Maintaining Purity

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.

he ar
las °
y ara
calli
t
WOL
calling
arranged
can Le

a Rivlin at (248) 968-3981. Review
the laws will be held Feb. 19, 25, and
dgt all (248) 968-3981 for more informa-

2/2
2001

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