Kingsbury mikveh closes

THE MIKVEH at Kingsbury, formerly the United Synagogue Mikveh, has closed.

Mikveh committee chair Flora Frank said that “due to the uncertainty of the pending renewal of the lease of the site at Kingsbury, we felt morally and ethically we could not accept the very generous donations offered by our admirers for complete refurbishment and modernisation”.

Although the plans had not come to fruition, “we are grateful to our would-be donors for their belief in the institution of mikveh as a vital and necessary part of Jewish life”.

Opened more than 40 years ago, the mikveh — “the dream and vision of Lady Jakobovits” — had paved the way for other mikvaot to open on United Synagogue premises.

It would be “sorely missed”, Mrs Frank said.

A US spokesman insisted that despite the mikveh’s closure, “the community in Kingsbury is still going strong with daily minyanim, shiurim and popular events”.