To frum Jews, Horodna-Grodno is more concept than city. It’s an abstraction of the glorious yesteryear, the world of Lita, and the blessed memories of the holy Baal HaLevushim and his grandson the Baal Yesod v’Shoresh Ha’Avoda.

Located where Lithuania and Poland merge (at the far west of Belarus, White Russia), the city rose to prominence after the “Big Shul of Grodno”, built by the holy Levush between 1676-1680, recently made the shortlist as a UN Heritage Center candidate.

The “Big Shul” burnt down in 1902 and was soon rebuilt. Harav Yitzchok Kofman has now renovated and renewed it for daily minyanim, shiurei Torah and kehilla activities. Last year, the first hachnasas sefer Torah in decades (if not centuries!) was celebrated there. Now all the area needs is a kosher mikva to bring this treasured kehilla full circle.

30+ families have already signed a petition promising to uphold the laws of family purity and to use this new mikva religiously in accordance with halacha.