decor
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
KRISTA HUSA
hen Rochel Weingarden vol-
unteered to decorate the
interior of the new mikvah
(ritual bath) in Oak Park, she
had no idea what she'd find at the tile close-
out store in Toronto. Luckily, the tiles, cabi-
netry and accessories match.
The doors opened in February, on a stun-
ning structure with a Jerusalem stone-like
exterior. Double doors with beveled glass
open onto a marble foyer. A computerized
reception desk keeps track of patrons, and a
black and tan waiting area offers five suede
chairs for overflow.
The building consists of 18 preparation
rooms, including a bridal suite and a handi-
capped room, two mikvaot and a laundry
room with computerized machines that auto-
matically measure soap per load size.
Since women can only use it after sunset,
the community needed a mikvah larger than
the existing structure, which had only four
preparation rooms; previously, participants
often had to wait until 1 a.m. during the sum-
mer to take their turn.
The interior walls are lined with ceramic tile
and rope and floral accent pieces. The rooms
have four styles of tile and six different lami-
nate counters and cubbies; each room provides
a robe, towels and bins of supplies. Chrome,
Delta faucets pour into sleek, round sinks.
The two mikvaot are identical — one has
4x4-inch teal pool tiles, with cornflower blue
and red accents, offset by white tiles; the
other room features royal blue tiles with
salmon, green and light blue accents.
Building such a beautiful structure fulfills
what is known as hiddur mitzvah, beau tit\ i ng
the obligation. "I wanted very much that the
women who perform this holy and special
mitzvah should feel good about it every step
of the way," says Weingarden.
The mikvah is still accepting donations.
For information or appointments, call
(248) 569-4730.
— Lynne Schreiber