Opening of Only Women’s Mikvah Marks New Chapter for Jewish Life in Chisinau, Moldova
In an emotionally charged ceremony in Chisinau, Moldova’s capital, the country’s only women’s Mikvah was excitedly inaugurated, bringing renewed spiritual vitality to the local Jewish community. The new facility, named “Mikvah Liel,” was completed in just seven months and serves as a living memorial to Liel Dina Namdar, a young teenager who tragically passed away in a car accident three years ago.
The project was initiated by Liel’s parents, Ephraim and Maya Namdar, in partnership with Chisinau’s Jewish community and local Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries. “When we decided to create a project in Liel’s memory, we learned about the pressing need for a women’s Mikvah in Moldova. We understood this would be the most meaningful way to honor her soul,” the Namdars shared. The couple successfully led a fundraising campaign in New York’s Jewish community, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete the project.
The elegant Mikvah, constructed within Chisinau’s central synagogue grounds, represents unity and Jewish renewal. Rabbi Zushe Abelsky, chairman of Moldova’s Jewish community, described the inauguration as “inspiring, spiritual, and unifying.” The ceremony drew participants from across the globe, including the Namdar family, Moldova-born Jews who had emigrated, Jewish organization representatives, and Rabbi Eliezer Avtzon, chairman of Global Jewish Assistance, Chief Rabbi Mendel Axelrod, and chairman of the Jewish community in Chisinau Mr. Simcha Bozor.
A particularly moving moment occurred during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which featured four generations of female Chabad emissaries in Moldova. Notably present was Rebbetzin Leah Abelsky, 93, Europe’s most senior Chabad emissary, alongside her daughter-in-law Chaya Abelsky, granddaughter Mrs. Chaya Mushka Axelrod (wife of the Chief Rabbi), and great-granddaughter Beila.
The Namdar family created a unique connection between Liel and the mikvah by incorporating a tile from the sacred building into her memorial stone. “The mikvah, symbolizing purity, life, and renewal, reflects Liel’s spirit and her positive influence on everyone who knew her,” the family explained. “The physical connection between the tile and her memorial serves as a living testimony to the eternality of her soul and the continuing good works done in her merit.”
The inauguration concluded with a festive meal where participants shared their experiences. Chief Rabbi Mendel Axelrod summarized the significance: “Mikvah Liel stands as a symbol of unity, hope, and renewal for Chisinau’s Jewish community. This event demonstrates how faith can transform moments of hardship into acts of profound kindness.”
The project received support from various organizations, including Rabbi Shmuel Levin, the Mikvah Tahara Organization led by Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Waldman of New York, the Rabbinical Center of Europe, and the Meromim Foundation.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Chana Tiefenbrun, who recently joined the three other permanent Chabad families in Moldova, worked tirelessly to ensure this momentous event reflects the dignity and sanctity of the occasion.
