September 19th, 2011
Students from the STARS program in Sumy Ukraine took a tour of the newly built Mikvas Esther. The local Shluchim, Rabbi Yechiel Shlomo and Rochi Levitansky are preparing for an opening ceremony of the Mikvah which will serve the community in Sumy and surounding cities. Although the actual Mikvah is already functioning, some outside work and landscaping are still being completed.
Students from the STARS program in Sumy Ukraine took a tour of the newly built Mikvas Esther. The Mikvah was named in memory of Esther Mansourri whose Yartzeit is on 12 Elul.
To commemorate the Yartziet the students and community members participated in a lesson and preview of the Mikvah and joined in a Lechayim and refreshments Leilui Nishmas Esther bas Avrohom Hakohen.
The city of Sumy, located on the Russian Ukrainian boarder, is mentioned in the Igros of the Frierdiker Rebbe as one of the few Cities that received funds from the Rebbe to reopen their Mikvah after it was closed by the KGB in 1923. Sadly, it only lasted several years as the KGB closed it again in 1927. Since then, the closest Mikvah was in Kharkov, a three hour drive from Sumy.
Now, almost 85 years later the local Shluchim, Rabbi Yechiel Shlomo and Rochi Levitansky are preparing for an opening ceremony of the Mikvah which will serve the community in Sumy and surounding cities. Although the actual Mikvah is already functioning , some outside work and landscaping are still being completed.
Mikvas Esther was made possible with many thanks to the Mansourri family, the Raitport family, Rabbinical Center of Europe and many more kind sponsors from around the world. If you would like to participate in completing this Mikvah please email chabadsumy@gmail.com
Photos and Full Story Here
Students from the STARS program in Sumy Ukraine took a tour of the newly built Mikvas Esther. The Mikvah was named in memory of Esther Mansourri whose Yartzeit is on 12 Elul.
To commemorate the Yartziet the students and community members participated in a lesson and preview of the Mikvah and joined in a Lechayim and refreshments Leilui Nishmas Esther bas Avrohom Hakohen.
The city of Sumy, located on the Russian Ukrainian boarder, is mentioned in the Igros of the Frierdiker Rebbe as one of the few Cities that received funds from the Rebbe to reopen their Mikvah after it was closed by the KGB in 1923. Sadly, it only lasted several years as the KGB closed it again in 1927. Since then, the closest Mikvah was in Kharkov, a three hour drive from Sumy.
Now, almost 85 years later the local Shluchim, Rabbi Yechiel Shlomo and Rochi Levitansky are preparing for an opening ceremony of the Mikvah which will serve the community in Sumy and surounding cities. Although the actual Mikvah is already functioning , some outside work and landscaping are still being completed.
Mikvas Esther was made possible with many thanks to the Mansourri family, the Raitport family, Rabbinical Center of Europe and many more kind sponsors from around the world. If you would like to participate in completing this Mikvah please email chabadsumy@gmail.com
Photos and Full Story Here