Excitement in the Jewish community of Pervomaisk, located in south-central Ukraine, with the completion and opening of a new mikvah – the first since the destruction of the local Jewish community during the Holocaust and its continued decline under Soviet rule.

The beautiful, modern, and accessible mikvah was built by the city’s rabbi and Chabad shluchim, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Chana Perlstein, with the support of philanthropic organizations and donors from around the world.

“Family purity is the foundation of Jewish life, so it was only natural for us to do everything possible to establish and operate a mikvah here in the Jewish community of Pervomaisk,” shared Rabbi Levi Perlstein. “Indeed, after six long and complex years of construction and development – despite the emergency situation in Ukraine and the constant rise in costs – we can now rejoice and bless the completion of a mikvah that is elegant, accessible, and inviting, and will serve the women and families of our growing community.”

Until the Holocaust and World War II, Pervomaisk’s Jewish community was considered one of the most important and central in the Jewish world. The city was home to rabbis and rebbes, scholars and merchants, who led tens of thousands of Jewish residents. Yeshivas, educational institutions, and charitable organizations flourished, supporting vibrant Jewish life. The arrival of the Nazis brought that era to an end, and the few who remained were forced to face the decrees of the Soviet regime, which severed millions of Jews from their heritage and people.

Thanks to the initiative of the Chief Rabbi of Mykolaiv, Rabbi Sholom Gottlieb, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana Perlstein began their work in the city 22 years ago to revive Jewish life. Their activities include operating a synagogue, classrooms, a Kollel Torah study program, clubs and programs for children, women and men, holiday celebrations, a soup kitchen, welfare institutions, and much more.

The construction of the new mikvah was made possible thanks to the support and partnership of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, Mikvah Rama, the Rohr Family Foundation, OK, community head Mr. Mikhail Shpakin, and many generous donors from around the globe.