Chabad of Brooklyn Heights – Congregation Bnai Avraham, led by Rabbi Aaron and Mrs. Shternie Raskin, held its annual Mikvah Fundraising Gala on June 22nd with a near-record turnout.
Close to 100 women from all over the Metro New York area gathered in the Brooklyn Heights shul – transformed for the evening into an underwater wonderland – for a night of sushi, song, and stories in support of the community’s 12 year-old Mei Menachem Mikvah.
Interested attendees were given a tour of the mikvah, which included a basic explanation of Taharas haMishpacha, the fundamentals o fmikvah according to Chassidus, and facts about the costs of running the community’s mikvah.
The gala’s theme, Nurture Your Body, Experience Your Soul, was brought to life by massage therapist and reflexologist Chaya Strassberg, who made a splash with her keynote lecture on the therapeutic effects of water and its significance in the teachings of kabbalah.
Also featured were four women from the Brooklyn Heights community who spoke powerfully on four very different personal experiences with mikvah: conversion to Judaism, the mikvah’s power to enhance romance and excitement in marriage, the healing effect of mikvah post-hysterectomy, and overcoming discomfort with the mikvah process as a young bride.
The evening began to flow to a close with singer-songwriter Rachel Ravitz, whose repertoire of original songs streamed together with Chassidic stories and teachings to create a truly soul-stirring performance.
Gala guests had the option of entering an exclusive raffle and silent auction, and the night ended with the announcement of winners of prizes including luxury bath kits, labor doula services, Broadway tickets, and a year’s supply of Poland Spring Water.
“Thank G-d, the beauty of tonight’s event really did justice to the beauty of our community’s mikvah, and to the beauty of the mitzvah [of Taharas haMishpacha],” one beaming community member commented.
“Several women said that as a result of tonight, they are either going to be making their first mikvah appointment ever, or are going to start learning more about mikvah.”
For more information on the Brooklyn Heights Mei Menachem Community Mikvah, call the shul at (718) 596-4840.
we are proud to be your nieces and nephews and of course your first guinea pigs love from all of us in richmond
best regards from iac
missing you
seems like a great presentation
sushi is lookin good!
Chaya gives the best treatments in the world & is full of knowledge & inspiration. I really recommend her!!!! You can reach her at 347-756-0205.
Is the greatest Rebetzin i’ve had the fortune to meet. She is loving, caring and always motivates me to get closer to judaisim. Thank you rebetzin!
Way to go Chaya!
What a beautiful event. Kol hakavod to the greatest Rebetzin in Brooklyn-Shternie Raskin! Keep up your great work.