The Hillcrest Jewish community celebrated a major milestone this past week with the opening of a brand-new keilim mikvah at Kehilat Ohr Veachdut, a growing Bukharian-centric congregation located at the corner of 166th Street and 81st Avenue. Just a block from Union Turnpike, the new mikvah is now fully operational and open to the public — a welcome addition for residents across Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Estates, and Hollis communities.
This elegant, state-of-the-art facility was constructed under the halachic supervision of Rabbi Yitzchok Trieger, Chief Halachic Consultant for Mikvah USA, an acclaimed national organization that guides and supports mikvah development across North America. Every stage of construction was conducted with meticulous care, ensuring the mikvah adhered to the highest halachic standards.
What makes this achievement even more inspiring is the behind-the-scenes effort. Photos from the construction process reveal a full transformation: from raw concrete forms and drywall to waterproofing, tile setting, and finish work. Community members were hands-on throughout the process, measuring panels, painting sealants, and consulting at every step — bringing the vision to life with deep personal investment.
“This is a tremendous step forward for our kehilah and for the entire Queens community,” shared Rabbi Nissan Shalomayev, rav of Kehilat Ohr Veachdut. “By providing a convenient, beautifully constructed mikveh for keilim, we are making it easier for families to perform this important mitzvah with dignity and joy.”
The grand opening brought together key figures behind the project. Rabbi Shalomayev stood alongside Rabbi Trieger and community president Mr. Ruben Gurgov inside the newly completed room — a moment captured in a photo that symbolizes teamwork, emunah, and communal pride.
With this new facility, Kehilat Ohr Veachdut continues to expand its role as a spiritual and practical anchor in Hillcrest. Known for its vibrant tefillot, diverse Torah programming, and growing youth minyan, the addition of the keilim mikvah deepens its commitment to providing for every facet of Jewish life.
As the water filled the freshly tiled pools, it reflected not only the lighting overhead — but the hard work, passion, and shared vision that brought the mikvah from blueprint to reality. This new space will now serve hundreds of families, connecting them to mitzvah observance in a tangible and meaningful way, for years to come.
New Keilim Mikvah Opens In Hillcrest, Strengthening Jewish Life At Kehilat Ohr VeAchdut
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