THE JOURNEY OF THE SHORE AREA MIKVEH
IN THE HEART OF THE JERSEY SHORE’S VIBRANT DEAL COMMUNITY, THE SHORE AREA MIKVEH STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO THE ENDURING SPIRIT, GROWTH, AND EVOLVING NEEDS OF THIS DYNAMIC ENCLAVE. FOUNDED IN THE EARLY 1970S AMIDST SKEPTICISM AND ZONING CHALLENGES, THE MIKVEH HAS GROWN FROM A MODEST FACILITY INTO A CORNERSTONE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE, SERVING THE LOCAL DEAL SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY WITH DEDICATION AND CARE.
The journey began in 1973 when the Deal community consisted of about 65 families. Rabbi Isaac Dwek recognized the pressing need for a local community mikveh, and with the help of visionaries Ike Hidary, Manny Haber, and Sonny Laniado, they embarked on a mission to establish one. Their efforts were initially met with resistance but they persisted and ultimately were able to purchase the lot on Jerome Avenue. The $300,00 undertaking was eventually completed, and after the blessing of rainfall, the Mikveh, consisting of four preparation rooms and two pools, finally opened.
As the community grew, so did the Mikveh, which underwent renovations in the 1980s and again in 2009. Led by the original founders and supported by community leaders like Louie Massry, the Mikveh was expanded to include 16 preparation rooms and four pools, eliminating long waits and enhancing the experience for countless women.
The exponential growth of the Deal community continued over the next few years (the population increased from 7,500 people to an estimated 100,000 during the summer months), and outpaced these improvements. Additionally, privacy, ventilation, and structural integrity issues emerged, creating an urgent need for comprehensive renovations.
The present envisioned upgrades aim not just to address these challenges but to transform the Mikveh into a spa-like sanctuary, complete with a magnificent bridal suite, ensuring a welcoming and serene environment for all who visit.
At the heart of the Shore Area Mikveh’s enduring spirit and mission stands the illustrious legacy of Rabbanit Mazal Kassin. In the early 1930s, Rabbanit Mazal and her esteemed husband, Rabbi Yaakov Saul Kassin embarked on a mission to uplift the spiritual and communal life of their new home, the Brooklyn Syrian Community.
Rabbanit Mazal dutifully served as a conduit for blessings and guidance for countless couples, emphasizing the importance of Mikveh and family purity. Her enduring impact is honored through the Shore Area Mikveh’s Matriarch Wall, a tribute to her leadership and spiritual guidance, forever memorializing her dedication to the values of purity, family, and tradition.
Mrs. Molly Chappan Shiloach, remembered on the Eshet Chayil Wall, epitomized commitment to tradition and community. Her legacy, spanning from Maryland to New Jersey, and continuing on through her children, perfectly represents the Mikveh’s mission of purity and family values.
Reflecting on the past and looking toward the future, we pay tribute to Ike Hidary, Manny Haber, Sonny Laniado, and countless others who have contributed to the Mikveh’s enduring legacy. Their vision, sacrifice, and dedication have laid the foundation for a facility that transcends its physical boundaries, nurturing the spiritual well-being of our community. As we stand on the brink of a new chapter, it is with profound gratitude and resolve that we endeavor to uphold and enhance this sacred institution, ensuring it remains a source of purity, strength, and unity for all.
Guiding our spiritual journey, the Rabbinical Board, comprised of Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, Rabbi Shlomo Diamond, Rabbi Edmond Nahum, Rabbi Saul Kassin, and Rabbi Moshe Malka, brings a wealth of wisdom and dedication to our community.
We are extremely grateful to have designer Deborah Shiloach on our team. She has generously devoted her time and her talent to the current project since its inception. Additionally, we must acknowledge and thank Abe Jerome, for lending his invaluable expertise and guidance to this endeavor. Furthermore, we are fortunate and proud to have Maurice Zekaria and Ray Builders at the helm of construction, ensuring that the project not only meets but exceeds our community’s expectations.
The Executive Board, comprised of Eddie Mizrahi (President), Maurice Zekaria (Vice President), Edgar Cohen (Treasurer), Eli Cohen, Ray Haber, Soli Mizrahi, and Joey Setton, has worked tirelessly to ensure that our vision for the Mikveh’s future is realized.
In recognition of this collective achievement, and in support of the future of the Shore Area Mikveh, there will be a breakfast celebration on Memorial Day Weekend. We look forward to this unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate our journey, and contribute to the very foundation of our community life.
Your participation is invaluable, as we strive to create a most welcoming, beautiful, and spiritually enriching Mikveh for the women of our community. Together, we will honor our rich heritage, celebrate our progress, and move forward with open hearts and a shared vision.
