New Mikvah at Dor Tikvah marks milestone for West Ashley’s Jewish community
from Staff Writer
Last month, congregation Dor Tikvah in West Ashley celebrated the grand opening of the new Drs. Miriam & Felix Glaubach Mikvah, the first mikvah built in Charleston in more than 50 years. The dedication ceremony drew community leaders, rabbis, and donors, underscoring its importance to Jewish life in the Lowcountry.
Often described as a “spa for the soul,” the mikvah is both modern and deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. For those unfamiliar, a mikvah is a ritual bath used in Judaism for spiritual purification. Most often, women use the mikvah in observing the laws of family purity, though it is also an essential part of Jewish conversions, holiday preparations, and other life-cycle moments.
Until now, observant women in Charleston often traveled long distances to access a mikvah. This new facility changes that — offering a convenient, private, and beautifully designed space that strengthens Jewish life locally.
A “Mikvah Chanukas Habayis” or celebration marking the completion and dedication of a mikvah was held on Sunday, Sept. 14. The event began in Dor Tikvah’s Gilston Social Hall with remarks from community leaders and Rabbi Sholom S. Mimran, followed by the ribbon-cutting and tours of the new facility. Guests enjoyed a festive dinner and reflected on the mikvah’s significance.
One of the speakers at the opening celebration was Simeon Glaubach, the son of Drs. Miriam & Felix Glaubach, for whom the mikvah is named.
“Throughout my parents’ lives, they exemplified kindness, devotion, faith, hospitality, Torah, learning, and devotion to family,” said Glaubach. “They taught my siblings and I that holiness is not far away, it’s found in everyday acts of love, respect, and responsibility.”
Glaubach also spoke about the significance of having the mikvah here at Dor Tikvah in West Ashley.
“A mikvah is not simply a pool of water. It’s the foundation of Jewish life. A wellspring of purity, continuity, and holiness,” he said. “This mikvah is not just a physical space. It’s a spiritual wellspring that uplifts the community.”
Dor Tikvah already plays a vital role as one of Charleston’s primary Orthodox congregations. With the addition of the mikvah, the synagogue enhances its position as a hub for spiritual practice, education, and community continuity.
The new mikvah is a 21st-century, state-of-the-art creation rooted in ancient tradition. The 7.5-foot x 9-foot immersion pool with a depth of 4.5 ft. at its deepest point, holds about 2,000 gallons of water, and is maintained at a comfortable 96 °F.
The mikvah is equipped with a MikvahTech FLT+AOP 150 Pro filtration, ensuring purity while meeting Jewish legal standards. This is important because a mikvah can’t just be filled with tap water. Jewish law requires that it include “living water,” meaning natural water that hasn’t been drawn by human hands. This is done by collecting rainwater in special reservoirs. The new Drs. Miriam & Felix Glaubach Mikvah utilizes three interconnected pools (boros), including a rainwater chamber directly beneath the main pool.
That rainwater is then connected to the main pool, either by mixing with it or by being in direct contact through an opening in the wall or floor. This system ensures the mikvah is kosher according to tradition, while still allowing the water people immerse in to be filtered, heated, and kept clean like a modern spa.
Beyond the pool itself, the mikvah includes elegant preparation rooms with both showers and baths, a bridal suite, and full ADA accessibility, including a pool lift for those with mobility needs. A separate keilim mikvah for immersing utensils is also available daily.
The project represents years of planning, fundraising, and dedication. With land and infrastructure donated by the Zucker family and halachic oversight from MikvahUSA, the mikvah was constructed with both precision and care.
The project, which was estimated to cost well over a million dollars, relied heavily on contributions from local families. To ensure religious integrity, engineers supervised a monolithic concrete pour for the pool and reservoirs — a critical step in guaranteeing its kosher status.
The mikvah is open year-round, except on Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av. Appointments are required three days in advance. Dor Tikvah is located at 1645 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd. To schedule an appointment, call/text Zahava at (854) 902-2924, email zahavamimran@gmail.com, or book online at mikvahcloud.com.
