KERESTIR (VINnews) – A new modern ”mikvah teharah” is slated for completion in this historic town within the next two months, according to Rabbi Moshe Yosef Friedlander, the founder and head of the Reb Shayele Kerestirer Guesthouse. “This is the first mikvah in Kerestir that will also include a mens and womens mikvah since the legendary Reb Shayele Keristerer passed away 97 years ago,” said Rabbi Friedlander.
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The new Binyen Avrum Yakov Friedman Mikveh will have separate mikvaos for men and women. Each of the stones of the mikveh will be dedicated by donors who wish to participate in this historic undertaking.
The new Mikveh will not only serve the tens of thousands who visit the hometown of the saint Reb Shayele, but will for the first time be accessible to Jewish communities in Debreczyn, Grosswardein, and Miskolc who to date had no availability of a Mikveh until the very distant capital Budapest. Some of these towns include many Jewish students who attend universities there and who wish to continue observance of Mitzvas.
The Mikvah is the latest addition to the network of services provided by Rabbi Friedlander’s Guesthouse that include a complete kosher catering service to visitors and guests who visit the gravesite of the legendary saint, known worldwide for the many yeshuos to Jews who are mispallel and his tzion in Kerestir. The extensive kitchen was the hub of emergency kosher food meals that was provided to thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war torn country.
It was also the leading provider of kosher food for the refugees whether still in the Ukraine, in Hungary and Romania, where many of the refugees are seeking temporary shelter. It especially was the sole source for thousands during last Pesach.
“My mission is to extend the magnificent hahnosas orchim of the great tzaddik Reb Shayele to today’s generation,” said Rabbi Friedlander who has become a central figure in the absorption and rescue of Ukrainian Jewry, especially in providing such life essential as kosher food and a place to live during this trying period.
“I know that this is exactly what Reb Shayele would have done during this crisis for Ukrainian Jews,” said Rabbi Friedlander. “He would have made sure that every Jewish family felt at home while escaping the travails of war.” Rabbi Friedlander continued: “Reb Shayele had his own mikveh and now with our new mikvah we will be able to offer even a mikveh to the many Jews who visit here all year and on the yahrzeit.” Rabbi Friedlander and his Guesthouse are planning to take a lead role in welcoming as many as 30,000 visitors from around the globe during the yahrzeit which this year will take place on April 23, 2023.