The Hong Kong Mikva

The mikva, or ritual bath, plays a fundamental role in Jewish life. Immersion in its waters provides the means of spiritual change and "rebirth". It is therefore used not only for mundane matters, such as rendering utensils fit for use in a kosher kitchen, but also by men in preparation for prayer, by proselytes in order to complete the conversion process, and by women in observance of the laws of nidda (familly purity).

So crucial a role does the mikva play in ensuring marital harmony, and thus the continuity of Jewish life, that, according to Jewish law, a community should build a mikva even before building a synagogue.

Hong Kong Mikvah

Accessing the Mikvah

Women

  • To make an appointment, please call the baalanit at least 48 hours in advance at +852 9656 7377.
  • Members of the community should meet the baalanit outside the main gate to the Ohel Leah Synagogue on Robinson road at the agreed time. Please be punctual.
  • Visitors to the community should meet the baalanit at the security desk in front of the Jewish Community Center. Please remember to bring a government issued identification, such as a passport.

Men

  • Enter through the Jewish Community Center. A security or reception staff member will give you the key and towels upon signing in. Please remember to return the keys.
  • You may also call security by pressing the button on the phone outside the mikva.
  • Please ensure that the mikva door is locked after use.  Please remember to return the keys.

      Dishes

      • Access is only through the Jewish Community Center reception desk. A security or reception staff member will give you the key and towels upon signing in. Please remember to return the keys.

      • Please ensure that the mikva door is locked after use.  Please remember to return the keys.
      Men and Dishes Mikvah

      Hours of Operation

      Women

      • Regular hours: 7 - 9 pm.
      • Friday and Jewish holidays: From candle lighting time until one hour after candle lighting time.
      • After Shabbat and Jewish holidays: From 20 minutes after havdalah until two hours later.
      • Exeption: In cases of need, earlier appointment may be accepted, but appointmants after 9 pm will incur on an additional late hours fee.

      Men

      • Regular hours: 7 to 11 am.
      • Friday and Jewish holidays:  From 2 pm until one hour before candle lighting.

      Dishes

      • Regular hours: 11 am to 5 pm.
      • Friday and Jewish holidays:  11 am to 2 pm.

      Please check with the JCC reception desk for updated schedules regarding cleaning and maintenance.

      Hong Kong Mikvah Entrance

      Fees & Membership

      Women

      • Fees: Member HK$80, Non-members HK$200.

      Men  

      • Fees: Member HK$40, Non-members HK$80.

      Dishes

        • Fees: Member HK$20, Non-members HK$40.
        • If you have many items to immerse, please consider donating an amount representative of your needs. 
        Mikvah Hong Kong Detail

        History

        It is assumed that Hong Kong had a mikva at least as early as the building of the Ohel Leah Synagogue. This would have been an essential element for the strictly observant Sassoon family, who financed the synagogue's construction in 1902. Moreover, a water tank was located in what is now the courtyard between the synagogue and the Jewish Community Center. This indicates that a mikva was nearby.

        The first mikva that several long-term community members remember, was built in 1937 through the generosity of J.E. Joseph. Memories conflict as to its exact location, but it may have been either in the present-day Kadoorie Garden, or close to the Beth Simcha house, which was used as accommodations for the Ohel Leah Synagogue rabbi. This mikva fell into disrepair during World War II and, owing to a lack of fund, was not rebuilt. A commemorative plaque was displayed for many years inside the synagogue.

        In the early 1970s, with the support of Ezekiel Abraham, and the Diestel and Caplan families, as well as other community members, and with the advice of Rabbi Israel Porush (the unofficial chief rabbi of Australia), a new mikva was built next to Beth Simcha house. This would have been approximately where the Robinson Place pool currently stands, in the north-east corner of the property. 

        As part of the redevelopment of the property in the 1990s, the old Jewish Recreation Club, the Beth Simcha house, and the mikva were torn down in order to construct the two Robinson Place towers. This redevelopment allowed for not only the Construction of the Jewish Community Center, but also a new, modern mikva in the south-west corner of the property. This mikva was renovated in 2010 through the generosity of the Ohel Leah Synagogue Trust.

        Although its historic attention merits attention, it is the regular use of the Hong Kong's mikva in daily life, which is of greatest significance. By observance of the laws of mikva and nidda, our unique Hong Kong Jewish community continually reaffirms the sanctity and centrality of Jewish practices, thereby ensuring the community's present stability and future growth.

        For deeper discussion of the Hong Kong Mikva, please download our triptych here or contact the Rabbi's office.