Local Mikvah to be named in memory of Ezra Schwartz

An excited crowd gathered on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the local mikvah (ritual bath) facility, adjacent to Kol Tikvah on Dunbar Street to celebrate the start of the mikvah groundbreaking.

Many leaders of the New England community attended including, Rabbi Naftali Bier of the Rosh Kollel of Boston, Rabbi Nisson Dov Miller of Congregation Eitz Chaim, Rabbi Noah Cheses of Young Israel Sharon and a letter of blessing was read from Rav Naftali Horowitz, the Bostoner rebbe shlita. Other community leaders in attendance were State Representative Louis Kafka, Senator Walter Timilty, President of Kol Tikvah, Randy O’Brien, original architect Hagit Levy, and the team from Bald Hill Builders.

The sunny day proceeded with President of Chevrat Nashim, Mrs. Cyna Reisman welcoming the attendees and introducing Eli Picard, who began the official ceremony by reciting Psalms 98, an uplifting prayer of rejoicing. The crowd was then honored to hear words of Torah from the Rosh Kollel of the Boston Kollel, Rabbi Naftali Bier as well as from Rabbi Noah Cheses of the Young Israel of Sharon.

Emunah Homa, renovations committee chairperson, announced the new name for the Mikvah, Mikvah Mei Ezra (‘helping waters’) after Ezra Schwartz zk’l, a local Sharon resident who was murdered in a terrorist attack over a year ago while studying in Israel. Ezra's father, Dr. Ari Schwartz spoke about the connection between Mikvah USA and donor Mel Lifshitz. Mr. Lifshitz had attended Ezra’s funeral and was inspired to then help shape the future of the Sharon community, by becoming our donor to Mikvah USA, in memory of
Ezra. Tamar Vogel, capital campaign chairperson, assisted the conclusion of the event with a siyum touching upon the meaning of Mikvah and its powerful connection to the body and soul. She also spoke to the
remaining monies needed.

Dr. Ari Schwartz, father of Ezra Schwartz, shared with the community that Mikvah Mei Ezra is special to their family and the Jewish community. He described his son as one who was always able to help his friends and
cared so deeply for others. The mikvah still needs financial support and calls upon the extended and local communities for help towards this spiritual and meaningful cause. For more information, please visit http://www.southshoremikvah.org/ and watch video transformation below