Among the many events held in Almaty over Chof Av, one promised to make a lasting difference for the local Jewish community. But unexpectedly, the fine weather was threatening to delay its opening.

The event was the dedication of a beautiful new mikvah on Monday, Chof Av, the yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson.

Thoughtfully designed and meticulously constructed, the mikvah was nearly ready for use. There was just one problem: Almaty had seen little rain for weeks, and rainwater was still needed to fill the otzar before the facility could become operational.

Standing before the donors and guests, Kazakhstan’s chief rabbi and head shliach, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, expressed his hope that rain would soon fall and fill the otzar, allowing the new mikvah to open without delay.

The facility was built on the ground floor of the residential building at the Chabad center, just steps from Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s tziyun. With a fully private entrance, an elegant reception area, several preparation rooms, a spacious bor tevilah and modern amenities, it was designed to serve Almaty’s growing Jewish community for years to come.

The facility was named Mikvah Chana, in memory of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, wife of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok and mother of the Rebbe.

The project was made possible primarily through the generosity of David and Sofia Yakubov of Moscow, who previously experienced a personal miracle connected with a visit to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s tziyun.

Seeking to express their gratitude through a lasting contribution, the couple chose to fund a new mikvah for the local Jewish community, close to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s resting place. Construction was carried out over the past year.

The Yakubovs traveled to Almaty for the dedication and, accompanied by Rabbi Cohen, unveiled the dedication plaque and toured the completed facility. The couple was visibly moved as they saw the result of their contribution for the first time.

They were joined by philanthropist R’ Levi Leviev and members of his family. Leviev was warmly welcomed by Rabbi Cohen and was honored with affixing the mezuzah at the mikvah’s main entrance.

Women from the local Jewish community personally thanked the donors, explaining how the new mikvah would strengthen Jewish family life and meet the needs of a community that has continued to grow in recent years.

Although Almaty already has a functioning mikvah, it was built approximately 30 years ago. The community’s growth and increasing demand made a larger, more modern facility necessary. Mikvahs also operate in several other Jewish communities across Kazakhstan.

Additional mezuzahs were affixed later in the day during the annual central farbrengen, attended by hundreds of Jews from communities throughout the country.

Those honored included Almaty Chief Rabbi Elchanan Cohen; Rabbi Yechezkel Lazar of Moscow, a personal friend of the donor; Tehran Chief Rabbi Younes Hamami; Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Turkey and chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States; philanthropist Rabbi Avi Shaulson; the Rebbe’s shluchim across Kazakhstan; and Adam Malashvili, gabbai of the Levi Yitzchok Synagogue.

Speaking at the event, Leviev recalled the extraordinary mesiras nefesh displayed by his mother, grandmother and countless Jews throughout the former Soviet Union to observe the mitzvah of mikvah under Communist persecution.

Yakubov expressed his gratitude for the privilege of taking part in such a central mitzvah and providing a lasting benefit to Jewish families in Kazakhstan.

Rabbi Cohen told the donors that the new mikvah would undoubtedly bring tremendous nachas to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, Rebbetzin Chana and their son, the Rebbe.

Yet despite the celebration, the question remained: When would the rain come?

Two hours later, as the central farbrengen came to an end, the skies over Almaty opened.

A heavy rain began to fall.