And while we are all looking forward to the near forgotton comforts of home, I think we are all acutely aware that we are giving up something prescious by living so far away from this place.

So before we leave, before we even have a chance to refer to this trip in the past tense, we resolve outloud, as well as in our hearts, to... Read more »»]]> Time to leave, unfortunately. We could certainly use a few more weeks here (or at least days).

And while we are all looking forward to the near forgotton comforts of home, I think we are all acutely aware that we are giving up something prescious by living so far away from this place.

So before we leave, before we even have a chance to refer to this trip in the past tense, we resolve outloud, as well as in our hearts, to come back again as soon as possible, G-d willing.

Farewell Crown Heights. We’ll be back as soon as we can, Rebbe.

The space is definitely well used, but also includes one additional amenity: A shvitz (sauna)! Regrettably, the shvitz was out of service when we visited, but we still has a fine time here.

Most interior surfaces are a pleasing and relaxing blue color. The pleasant “homey” feel of the place makes up nicely for the occasional exposed pipe or worn surface. A real “neighborhood mikvah”!

No, no, scratch that! Try, WOWWW!!!

We do indeed love those character filled “neighborhood mikvahs”, but this is something else! This is a space aged “big city” mikvah! (located on Kingston Ave, across the street from Kingston Pizza, BTW).

As we passed through the grand entryway (nice solid door in a new decorative facade), we were surprised at first to see a very limited space – A single hallway stretching ahead of us with a few doors along each of the long... Read more »»]]> Wow!

No, no, scratch that! Try, WOWWW!!!

We do indeed love those character filled “neighborhood mikvahs”, but this is something else! This is a space aged “big city” mikvah! (located on Kingston Ave, across the street from Kingston Pizza, BTW).

As we passed through the grand entryway (nice solid door in a new decorative facade), we were surprised at first to see a very limited space – A single hallway stretching ahead of us with a few doors along each of the long walls.

We realized very quickly that this mikvah is likely to be different from most other mikvahs we had been to or heard about as we walked down this beautifully made hall and passed by newly installed change machines (set nicely in the left wall, clean, and presented as professionally as ATM’s in the best of uptown banks).

The door to the mikvah is the final door on the left side of this short hall, or so we thought. It’s labeled “Mikvah” (in Hebrew), so we expected to walk straight into the main event.

Instead, as we walked through the door, we found a long staircase leading down and running parallel to the entry hallway (back toward the street).

We went down the long stair case, again, surrounded by well finished surfaces. At the bottom landing, we found an automated mikvah attendant and a locked metal turnstile.

Now, the automated attendant won’t hand you a towel or wish you Hatzlacha (success) in your day, but it will unlock the turnstile for you – After you feed it the required mikvah fee ($3 per dip per person on weekdays, $5 on Erev Shabbos, and a bulk discount card is available).

At the beginning of the entry process, the metal turnstile is locked and a red light glows directly above. As you feed the attendant, a screen counts remaining fees required. Once the feeding is complete, the red light turns off, a green light atop the turnstile turns on, and the turnstile unlocks for a single 1/3 turn (enough for one person to pass).

It’s not the cheapest fun to be had in Crown Heights, but it is indeed fun! And the turnstile is so much cleaner than the average subway turnstile – It may well be the only clean one for miles.

So, is Mikvah Meir worth the cost? Let’s go through this spinning metal marvel and take a look!

Upon passing the turnstile, we enter the dressing room. This place is made up so beautifully, one can easily imagine sitting in here for relaxation. The ceilings look like grand palace spaces, formed of sweeping arches conjoining into classical domes. The lights all point upward, further enhancing the grand feeling of this space while illuminating it with gentle grace.

The showers are arranged in a hall (within shallow stalls) that connects the dressing room to the actual mikvah. Each stall is outfitted with a large rectangular overhead showerhead that turns on automatically as you step into the stall. The temperature dial is directly in front of the user’s normal standing position, and it is very easy to control and very responsive.

Each stall is also outfitted with soap and shampoo dispensers and a small hand towel that can be draped in front of the motion sensor in case you want the water to run continuously, even when when you step momentarily out of the shallow stall.

As we exit the shower hall, we arrive, finally, at the mikvah itself. The water is pristinely clean, the temperature is just warm enough to be comfortable (and comforting), and the space plentiful and entirely free of breaks, wares, or blemishes.

So, again, is it worth the expense? Let me put it this way – Schneur Zalman and Yisroel Shem Tov were in rare absolute agreement that there was no reason to leave! Even for ice cream! Yes, Mikvah Meir is absolutely worth it! Of course, if we were to make a regular habit of this, the discounted pre-paid card would be a must.

The water is warm and reasonably clean, addmission is only $1 per user per visit, and the facility is comfortable even when crowded.

For now, a “private audience” with our Rebbe’s office will have to do.

We want (read, “need”) Moshiach now!

And then you visit the displays.

Hospital rooms, dormitories, the inspection hall, detention areas, and more. We even saw a Sefer Tehillim (Book of Psalms) handed to Nathan Solomon in 1924 by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, right here at Ellis Island.

In addition to the long lines to reboard the ferry, the punishing heat, and the not so rare local rudeness, we also had fatigue to contend with.

Sheina Shira was inconsolable at one point. Every time we walked, and especially in close proximity to crowds, she just melted down. Then it dawned on us – Down where she was (at knee... Read more »»]]> The trip from Liberty Island to Ellis Island is a bit more than a mere hop, especially in the tourism season.

In addition to the long lines to reboard the ferry, the punishing heat, and the not so rare local rudeness, we also had fatigue to contend with.

Sheina Shira was inconsolable at one point. Every time we walked, and especially in close proximity to crowds, she just melted down. Then it dawned on us – Down where she was (at knee level), the cute little short thing, down below the canopy of hot sweaty people – The heat and stagnant air must have been even worse than where our faces were!

So, we started the island hop (from Liberty to Ellis), with Sheina Shira on my shoulder. She was reminded how cute others think she is, as fellow crowd victims oo’d and ah’d over her. And I was reminded how much I like having a baby on my shoulder.