Building a mikvah in CHCH, New Zealand
1949
A Gerrer Chosid lives in New Zealand for work. He chooses to dress in a more modern fashion; keeping on his kippah, but relaxing the Ger tradition of peyos, beard and traditional garb.
While visiting his daughter in NY, he meets a young man during an elevator ride.
Unbeknownst to this Ger Chosid, the young man is the future Lubavitcher Rebbe.
The Rebbe reaches out to the Chosid. "Sholom Aleichem and where are you from?"
"New Zealand," answers the Chosid.
"Is there a mikvah in New Zealand?" inquires the Rebbe.
"I don’t know. I am there for work, not spiritual matters"
"When a Jew comes to a place, they must leave a mark, a roshem." replies the Rebbe.
Regarding the city of Chch....it is shocking that there is no mikvah there at all. Without delay you need to inquire about building a mikvah.
The elevator reaches its destination. The Chosid exits to meet his daughter, and asks his
daughter who the man in the elevator is. She explains that he is the son-in-law of the current Lubavitcher Rebbe.
40 years later.
1989.
This Gerrer Chasid is now living in Israel. He goes once again to visit his daughter in NY.
This time he is 40 years older, dressed in full Gerrer regalia with a beard, peyos and
traditional clothing.
His daughter suggests they go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe for dollars on Sunday. He agrees.
When his turn to receive dollars from the Rebbe arrives; the Rebbe asks him “Is there a mikvah in New Zealand?”
The chosid goes into utter shock and is ushered off the line without being able to formulate a response.
He goes to the Gerrer Rebbe and relays what transpired.
“Can you believe that the Rebbe recognized me?!” The Chosid says in disbelief. "I look different, I act different. How did the Rebbe know it was me"
"Yes, I can believe it." said the Gerrer Rebbe. "A Tzadik recognizes souls. What I cannot believe, however, is that after 40 years the Rebbe still cares if there is a mikvah in New Zealand!"
In 1974, the Rebbe sent a letter with a directive to build a MIkvah in CHCH (To the right, is a copy of the letter, as well as a video from the Rabbi who received the letter from the Rebbe)
Why it was never built is a mystery, clearly the time is now.
Donation Option:
Mikvah dedication
Mikvah pool + well
Luxurious preparation room
Lobby furnishings
Mechanical room
10 bricks
5 bricks
3 bricks
1 brick
$200,000
$80,000
$80,000
$18,000
$15,000
$1000
$770
$360
$180
About Us
CHCH (also referred to as Christchurch) is a beautiful city nestled in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's Southern Island.
A unique blend of calm tranquility and exhilarating opportunity, CHCH welcomes over a million tourists each year.
There to foster Jewish life for the Jewish Community of the Southern Island and to welcome 90+ Israeli tourists daily are Rabbi Dor and Mrs. Miriam Biton and their three children Menachem Mendel, Eliyahu Shimon and Shneur Zalman.
The list that the Chabad house offers its Jewish brethren is endless:
Kosher food accessibility.
Shabbat food and home cooked meals.
Holidays (and all they entail... Shofar, Esrog, Matzah, Menorah).
Weddings.
Funerals.
Bat/Bar Mitzvah prep.
Womens' groups
Youth learning.
Adult learning.
Accommodation.
Anything Jewish must be accessed through the tireless efforts of these amazing Chabad emissaries who choose to live away from their families in Israel, raising their children in a Jewish desert to provide an authentic Jewish experience to all who need it.
All provided with nothing asked in return.
There is another organization geared for Israeli tourists that offers free food and accommodation BUT they must attend Church.
Let us help build a mikvah for the Jewish people.
יחי אדוננו מורנו ורבינו מלך המשיח לעולם ועד
