In keeping with this ancient Jewish mitzvah, the Charlotte Goldberg Community Mikvah (CGCM) located on the grounds of Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights, was conceived in 1998 and dedicated in May, 2000. The freestanding, graciously appointed building was inspired after Charlotte Goldberg attended a beautiful, spiritual mikvah ceremony in Mexico City for her future granddaughter and wanted other families in Cleveland to experience this joy. Charlotte’s enthusiasm was shared by the Rabbis in the Conservative and Reform Jewish Community, aware of the importance of having a mikvah where immersions for their congregants converting to Judiasm could be held.
The CGCM became a reality due to the Goldbergs’ and the community’s determination to build a community mikvah that could be enjoyed by the entire Cleveland area Jewish community. Construction of the area’s first true community mikvah was supervised and certified by Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman, of the Committee on Law and Standards. The kosher mikvah meets all Halachic standards and the structure, water levels, content and collection are inspected on a regular basis.
Like the ancient mikvaot, the CGCM contains living waters. Living water means running or moving water, and comes from a God-given source such as rain, snow, ice, spring water or the ocean. Because the mikvah is a symbol of spiritual cleansing, transformation and renewal, individuals come to the living waters at times of change in their lives or to commemorate a special occasion.
Although there is a heavy emphasis in Judaism on the importance of community, coming to the mikvah is a very private time for reflection and spiritual cleansing.The Mikvah Consortium*
* The Mikvah Consortium includes Temples/Synagogues in the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area who pay annual membership dues in order to support the daily operations of the Mikvah and support it's philosophy.