The most exciting news in South Africa is that one of the
most beautiful holiday areas in the world, the Garden Route,
now boasts a mikveh.
The Garden Route, 227 kilometers of unspoiled South African
coastline, stretches from Mossel Bay to Storms River in the
Southern Cape. A necklace of bays, beaches, cliffs and rocky
capes are strung together along a line of pounding white
surf. Mountain ranges crowd close to the shoreline. The
narrow coastal terrace is covered with a dense jumble of
trees and flowering plants. The area is ideal for the
holidaymaker wanting to enjoy excellent roads, a chain of
lakes, expansive empty beaches, mountains, forests and cool
drives.
Further inland, the town of Outshoorn has, in its museum, a
room dedicated to the early Jewish settlers -- many of whom
came from Kelm. The beautiful white and gold Aron Hakodesh
is also a replica of one in Kelm.
It is to this gorgeous and tranquil location that many Yidden
retreat for their summer holidays (in January- February) and
out-of-season getaways.
Until now, only one important thing was missing: a mikveh.
For years it was a dream to build one -- and for years
it remained a dream. Those holidaying for extended periods
along the Garden Route had to travel sometimes up to ten
hours to use the nearest mikveh.
Last summer the crisis peaked. The South African rabbonim and
the gedolei haTorah who were consulted, did not see
their way clear to grant a heter for holidaymakers to
use the sea as a mikveh.
A mikveh had to be built in this area as a matter of
urgency. A small committee undertook to raise the necessary
funds, to acquire plans and oversee the building of a
mikveh according to strict halachic standards. The
promoters of the project were motivated by the belief that it
is precisely on holiday that we need to make an extra effort
to strengthen our adherence to Torah and mitzvos.
HaRav Meir Posen drew up the plans and was in constant
contact with the builder and the engineer, both of whom went
beyond the call of duty in their dedication to this special
project of kedusha and taharoh, to ensure all
measurements and details were exactly according to plan. The
builder took photographs on a regular basis and sent them to
HaRav Posen, who in turn guided the builder throughout the
construction.
The encouragement of the South African rabbonim and the
financial support of the South African Jewish community were
overwhelming, and in the short space of nine months the dream
became a reality.
It was decided to build the mikveh in George. Easy
highway access and its central locality in the Garden Route
and an all-year-round rainfall made George the site of
choice.
The George Hebrew Congregation very graciously donated part
of their property to build the mikveh. The new
installation includes a mikveh room, two full
bathrooms, a dressing room and a laundry. Rabbi Posen came to
George to inspect the building and the kashrus of the
mikveh. He was very impressed, not only at the
compliance in all aspects with all the halachic requirements,
but also the attention to fine taste and beauty of the
finishings.
The mikveh will iy"H be open to holidaymakers
from the beginning of the season when schools close for the
summer holidays. The official opening will be on 15 Teves,
corresponding to Sunday 30th December, 2001. For further
information, please contact in South Africa: (011) 648 0502
or 083 798 8625; (011) 786 4962 or 083 345 9154.
