50 | SEPTEMBER 14 • 2023
step was finding a site in the YIS neighbor-
hood. Levi placed flyers in mailboxes in
the area, hoping to identify an appropriate
property for sale. In 2018, the group signed
a purchase agreement for such a proper-
ty, and after zoning and Southfield City
Council approval, purchased it the follow-
ing year. In 2021, the existing structure was
demolished.
But, in the meantime, rising inflation
and its impact on construction materials
and labor had doubled the estimated cost,
Levi said. Fortunately, a successful Friends
and Family Campaign and financial sup-
port from Mikvah USA enabled the Lahser
Mikvah to move forward with construction
this year.
To date, $1.1 million has been raised
from 1,000 donors and a grant from
Mikvah USA for the property, site prepa-
ration, design and construction. The
goal is to raise $1.4 million to include
operational costs for the next five years.
At the Groundbreaking Ceremony, Zwas
described dedication opportunities to sup-
port the new mikvah including a naming
donor, who she hopes could be a “righteous
woman.
”
YIS member Perry Friedman, who serves
on the Lahser Road Mikvah Fundraising
Committee, spoke of the importance of the
mikvah for taharat hamishpachah (family
purity) and thanked the six women for
serving on the mikvah’s board of directors.
Rabbi Mendel Stein, development direc-
tor of Lubavitch Cheder, led community
children in passing along a large stone,
which was then placed as a ceremonial
foundation element on the construction
site. Several local elected officials and com-
munity members used shiny new shovels
to move some dirt on the site as a sym-
bolic start of construction. Rabbi Morris
thanked everyone for their role in creating
the mikvah, which he said will “elevate the
community so they could become closer to
God above.
”
The Lahser Road Mikvah is designed by
DiClemente Siegel Design, an architectural
firm in Southfield, and the construction
contractor is Trademark Construction
Company. According to Levi, the “beauti-
ful, secure and kosher mikvah” is expected
to open in summer 2024.
For more information visit lahsermikvah.org.
TOP: Rabbi Mendel Stein led community children in passing a stone used for a ceremonial foundation. Perry Friedman. BOTTOM RIGHT: Cherie
Levi has led the charge on the Lahser Road Mikvah.
Community members used these shovels
to move the dirt as a symbolic first step of
construction.
Rabbi Yechiel Morris of YIS
continued from page 48
OUR COMMUNITY
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