Israel Central Committee for Taharat Hamishpacha

The Israel Central Committee for Taharat Hamishpacha (Hebrew: המרכז הארצי לטהרת המשפחה, "National Center for Taharat Hamishpacha") is an Israeli umbrella organization dedicated to strengthening the observance of family purity (taharat hamishpacha) through education, outreach, the construction of women's ritual baths (mikvaot), and halachic supervision over them. It was founded in 1942 (Hebrew year 5702) by Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Halperin, with the encouragement of Rabbi Shlomo Goldman, the Admor of Zvhil. Rabbi Yehoshua Levi managed the organization alongside and after its founder. The organization operates as a non-profit association (amuta) registered in Israel. Its presidency has historically included many leading Haredi rabbis, such as Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld, Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter (the Gerrer Rebbe), Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum (the Satmar Rebbe), Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (the Lubavitcher Rebbe), Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Chacham Shalom Cohen, and Rabbi Shimon Baadani. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky was a prominent supporter, viewing support for the organization as a segula for fertility and other blessings. Today the organization is headed by Rabbi Chaim Levi, with Akiva Weiner as director-general. Rabbi Mordechai Auerbach serves as president and halachic decisor. The current presidency includes Rabbis Dov Landau, Baruch Dov Povarsky, Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Reuven Elbaz, and Shimon Galai, along with the Admorim of Belz, Sanz, Boyan, Modzitz, Rachmastrivka, Pinsk-Karlin, and Zvhil. According to the organization's reports, by 2024 it had established approximately 1,158 mikvaot. It supervises around 800 mikvaot in Israel and issues kashrut certificates to them. It also operates an information center on family purity, produces educational guides, and holds study groups and seminars for balaniyot (mikveh attendants) and the public. The official website highlights ongoing projects, including the construction and renovation of mikvaot in Kiryat Gat, Tene Omarim, and Mesuot Yitzhak, and reports that in the past year 24 mikvaot were built or restored, 32 were under construction or restoration, 728 were inspected and certified, 1,078 received kashrut repairs, 913 halachic supervision reviews were conducted, and 23,764 inquiries were made to its halachic hotline.

The Israel Central Committee for Taharat Hamishpacha was founded in 1942 (Hebrew year 5702) by Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Halperin, with the encouragement of Rabbi Shlomo Goldman, the Admor of Zvhil. Rabbi Yehoshua Levi managed the organization alongside and after its founder. The organization was established as an umbrella body to strengthen the observance of family purity through guidance, outreach, the construction of women's ritual baths (mikvaot), and halachic supervision over them. In its early years, the organization's presidency was held by Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld, and it received support from the Chazon Ish, who instructed that the organization be assisted. Rabbi Zvi Pesach Frank even instructed donors to prioritize donating to the organization for the construction of a mikveh over building a synagogue. Over the years, the presidency included many prominent rabbis: Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter (the Gerrer Rebbe), Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum (the Satmar Rebbe), Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (the Lubavitcher Rebbe), Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Chacham Shalom Cohen, Rabbi Shimon Baadani, and others. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a leader of the Haredi public, enthusiastically supported the organization (similar to his teacher the Chazon Ish) and called for assistance in every way; he also saw support for the organization's activities as a segula for fertility and many "yeshuot" (salvations). The organization assists in financing the construction and renovation of women's mikvaot, driven by a mission that sees great importance in making the mikveh magnificent and respectable, and in making the mitzvah of purity accessible to Jewish women. By 2024 (Hebrew year 5785), the organization had established approximately 1,158 mikvaot. Today the organization is headed by Rabbi Chaim Levi, with Akiva Weiner as director-general. Rabbi Mordechai Auerbach serves as president and halachic decisor. The current presidency includes Rabbis Dov Landau, Baruch Dov Povarsky, Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Reuven Elbaz, and Shimon Galai, along with the Admorim of Belz, Sanz, Boyan, Modzitz, Rachmastrivka, Pinsk-Karlin, Zvhil, and others. According to the organization's reports, in addition to its construction activities, it supervises approximately 800 mikvaot in Israel and grants them kashrut certificates. It also operates an information center on family purity and produces guides on the subject. The organization holds home study groups and seminars for balaniyot (mikveh attendants) and the public. The official website highlights ongoing projects, including the construction and renovation of mikvaot in Kiryat Gat (Nevei HaNevi'im and HaPerachim neighborhoods, approximately 15,000 residents, cost 2,900,000 NIS), Tene Omarim (southwest Mount Hebron, approximately 1,100 residents, cost 1,700,000 NIS), and Mesuot Yitzhak (near Kiryat Gat, approximately 1,000 residents, cost 1,300,000 NIS). The website also reports that in the past year, 24 mikvaot were built or restored, 32 were under construction or restoration, 728 were inspected and certified, 1,078 received kashrut repairs, 913 halachic supervision reviews were conducted, and 23,764 inquiries were made to its halachic hotline.

• 2024

  By Hebrew year 5785, approximately 1,158 mikvaot had been established.

• 1942

  Organization founded by Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Halperin.

The umbrella organization for strengthening family purity in Israel, combining construction, halachic supervision, and education under the guidance of leading Haredi rabbis.

• Mikveh construction and renovation

  Building and renovating women's ritual baths across Israel.

• Kashrut certification for mikvaot

  Inspecting and certifying mikvaot as kosher according to halacha.

• Educational materials and guides

  Producing guides and operating an information center on family purity.

1. 1טהרת המשפחהtaharat.org.il
2. 2Israel Central Committee for Taharat Hamishpachawikidata.org
3. 3המרכז הארצי לטהרת המשפחהhe.wikipedia.org