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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