A new women's mikvah is currently being inaugurated in Carmei Katif, for the 130 families who were evicted from their homes in Gush Katif, 15 years ago.
This is a cause for celebration for the women of Carmei Katif, who finally achieved closure in the new settlement built four years ago.
Before the inauguration of the new mikvah, women were using the mikvah of a neighboring settlement. This caused discomfort on Friday nights as women had to walk to the adjacent settlement, pronouncing the obvious to all who noticed them leaving Carmei Katif. The rainy wintery Friday nights brought their own set of complexities, stated a Carmei Katif women. "The new mikvah in our settlement is centrally located and has a side entrance to ensure privacy. It was built to suit the needs of our community, and will solve most of our inconveniences," she stated.
Talohr Gutman, a resident of the settlement, grew up in Gush Katif. She was 12 at the time of the disengagement. Talohr is married and currently lives in Carmei Katif. " We used to use the old mikvah. It was clean; however, it was small, old, and had only one preparation room. The new mikvah is beautiful, well-designed, and aesthetically pleasant. I think it is essential that this mitzvah be pleasant and that women who come to the mikvah have a pampering experience. I believe the new mikvah will make the mitzvah much more enjoyable for the women of the settlement".
"Women walk into the building and feel excited. They can't get over the meticulous planning, luxurious standard, and pleasant atmosphere. I know how much the local regional council and the "Merkaz L'Taharat Ha'Mishpacha "invested to pull this all together and make this mikvah happen.
Guttman talks about the residents' feelings of closure. We are marking 15 years since the disengagement. "Our mikvah attendant from Gush Katif, Rebbetzin Leah Vizonsky, who accompanied the Gush Katif mikvah since its establishment is once again serving the community. This contributes to a sense of stability. We waited 15 years for a place to plant our roots; we wanted permanency. It's finally happening. "
The construction of the new mikveh in Carmei Katif was spearheaded by the "Merkaz L'Taharat Ha'Mishpacha" in conjunction with the Department of Religious Affairs of the Lachish Regional Council. Barber Architects designed the mikvah. "Merkaz L'Taharat Ha'Mishpacha" is responsible for the construction of hundreds of mikvahs throughout the country and built all the mikvahs in Gush Katif.
Akiva Weiner, CEO of Merkaz L'Taharat Ha'Mishpacha: "It is exciting for us to inaugurate the mikvah in Carmei Katif, on the exact date commemorating fifteen years since the disengagement. This event is real closure for us as well. "Merkaz L'Taharat Ha'Mishpacha built the mikvahs in Gush Katif, including the Bnei Dekalim Mikvah that was inaugurated a few days before the disengagement. The mikvah was destroyed in its brand-new state during the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Since those traumatic moments, we have had the privilege of doing repairs on mikvahs serving the Gush Katif .
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