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