3 months ago

Four Generations of the Rebbe’s Shluchim Dedicate Moldova’s Only Women’s Mikveh

In Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, a moving ceremony marked the inauguration of the country’s only women’s mikveh. The event, filled with emotion, was a milestone for the Jewish community. The new mikveh, completed in just seven months, was named “Mikveh Liel” in memory of Liel Dina Namdar, z”l, a young woman tragically killed in a car accident three years ago • Full Story

Liel’s parents, Ephraim and Maya Namdar, spearheaded the project in her memory, in partnership with Chișinău’s Jewish community under the leadership of the local Shluchim. “When we decided to honor Liel’s memory, we learned about the pressing need for a women’s mikveh in Moldova. We realized this was the most meaningful way to elevate her soul,” the couple shared.

They led a fundraising campaign within New York’s Jewish community, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring the project to completion. “The mikveh, which symbolizes renewal and spiritual connection, gave us a sense that we were breathing new life into our beloved daughter,” they explained.

The state-of-the-art mikveh, built in the courtyard of Chișinău’s central synagogue, has become a symbol of unity and the revitalization of Jewish life in the region.

A Ceremony to Remember

Rabbi Zusha Abelsky, head of Moldova’s Jewish community, described the dedication as “inspiring, spiritual, and deeply unifying,” leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

The event drew participants from around the world, including the Namdar family, Moldovan expatriates, representatives of Jewish organizations, and Rabbi Eliezer Avtzon, chairman of Global Jewish Assistance. Rabbi Mendel Axelrod, Chief Rabbi of Moldova, and Mr. Simcha Buzor, president of Chișinău’s Jewish community, also took part in the event.

A particularly moving moment came during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which featured four generations of Chabad Shluchim in Moldova. Among them was Rebbetzin Leah Abelsky, 93, Europe’s eldest Chabad Shliach, joined by her daughter-in-law, Chaya Abelsky; her granddaughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Axelrod (the wife of the Chief Rabbi); and her great-granddaughter Beila.

During the ceremony, a letter from The Rebbe highlighting the importance of mikveh construction was read. Special thanks were extended to Rabbi Shmuel Levin, the “Mikveh Taharah” organization led by Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Waldman of New York, the European Rabbinical Center, and the Meromim Foundation.

The event concluded with a celebratory meal, where attendees shared personal reflections. Rabbi Mendel Axelrod summarized the day with heartfelt words: “‘Mikveh Liel’ is a beacon of unity, hope, and renewal for the Jewish community in Chișinău. This event demonstrates the power of faith to transform pain into profound acts of kindness.”

A Symbol of Connection

One of the most poignant moments of the evening was Ephraim Namdar’s heartfelt speech, ending with the recitation of Kaddish in memory of his daughter. Rabbi Eliezer Avtzon led a memorial prayer following the speech. The five Chabad Shluchim active in the city reported a surge of inquiries from women, including those who had not previously observed the laws of family purity, expressing a desire to use the mikveh.

The Namdar family formed a deep bond with Chișinău’s Jewish community through this project, creating a symbolic and enduring connection between Liel, z”l, and the mikveh named in her honor. During the ceremony, the family took a tile from the mikveh to incorporate into Liel’s gravestone.

“The connection between Liel and this mikveh is profound and meaningful to us,” the family shared. “The mikveh, representing purity, life, and renewal, reflects Liel’s spirit and the positive impact she had on everyone who knew her. The physical link between the tile and her gravestone serves as a living testament to her eternal soul and the transformative kindness that continues in her name.”