Josef Newman is fundraising
Mikveh for Chabad St Maarten
Chabad of St. Maarten is building a mikvah! Join us in helping them accomplish this huge Mitzvah.
My wife and I first met Rabbi Moshe and Rebbetzin Sara when I started medical school. They went above and beyond not only for us, but for all the students at AUC and the surrounding community in the Caribbean. They brought in kosher food, hosted shabbat for students, and built a synagogue. On Yom Kippur we were (probably) the only shul that prayed Chabad with Moroccan Selihot afterwards because the Rabbi wanted to make sure we always felt at home. Most of these mitzvot are what you probably have come to know from Chabad and the tremendous work they do worldwide, but our story goes deeper.
We were newly married when we moved to St Maarten, where there is currently no Mikvah, and we had no access to a private beach. The Rebbetzin would take my wife (and other women) in the dark of night to remote parts of the beach. I would stand watch from the street to look for cars and make sure they were not interrupted. Whether warding off barking dogs (yes we were chased) or teaching a security guard what a Mikvah is (luckily he was already quite knowledgeable on religion), we never missed a day. The Rebbetzin always said if we did something for a mitzvah, we would be protected and to this day I can say she was right.
Construction on the Mikvah started a few years back but after the last Hurricane, there was significant damage. In what can only be described as a miracle, the Rabbi and his family hid inside the structure of the Mikvah building, which saved them from a horrible storm. Protected by the foundations of a mitzvah they work so hard to promote, they emerged stronger than ever and are marching forward with construction.
Though I will always remember and appreciate what we went through, I believe we have an obligation to make it easier for women in St Maarten and surrounding islands to keep this beautiful mitzvah. After years, we are finally close. For $16,000 more we can complete this beautiful project.
Please join us in making history!
My wife and I first met Rabbi Moshe and Rebbetzin Sara when I started medical school. They went above and beyond not only for us, but for all the students at AUC and the surrounding community in the Caribbean. They brought in kosher food, hosted shabbat for students, and built a synagogue. On Yom Kippur we were (probably) the only shul that prayed Chabad with Moroccan Selihot afterwards because the Rabbi wanted to make sure we always felt at home. Most of these mitzvot are what you probably have come to know from Chabad and the tremendous work they do worldwide, but our story goes deeper.
We were newly married when we moved to St Maarten, where there is currently no Mikvah, and we had no access to a private beach. The Rebbetzin would take my wife (and other women) in the dark of night to remote parts of the beach. I would stand watch from the street to look for cars and make sure they were not interrupted. Whether warding off barking dogs (yes we were chased) or teaching a security guard what a Mikvah is (luckily he was already quite knowledgeable on religion), we never missed a day. The Rebbetzin always said if we did something for a mitzvah, we would be protected and to this day I can say she was right.
Construction on the Mikvah started a few years back but after the last Hurricane, there was significant damage. In what can only be described as a miracle, the Rabbi and his family hid inside the structure of the Mikvah building, which saved them from a horrible storm. Protected by the foundations of a mitzvah they work so hard to promote, they emerged stronger than ever and are marching forward with construction.
Though I will always remember and appreciate what we went through, I believe we have an obligation to make it easier for women in St Maarten and surrounding islands to keep this beautiful mitzvah. After years, we are finally close. For $16,000 more we can complete this beautiful project.
Please join us in making history!
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