While in New York I saw a fascinating article on the building of one of America's first Mikvehs in the 1780s which I would like to share with you.

Interestingly, many of the first shules in North America (New York, Philadelphia, Montreal and several other cities) were called Mikveh Israel which also means the Hope of Israel.

Here is the article by Dr Yitzchok Levine who served as a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey:

"..Manuel Josephson, who immigrated to New York in the 1740s was one of America's few learned Jews.  His talents were recognised by Congregation Shearith Israel, and he served on the synagogue’s bet din for several years and as its parnas (president) in 1762. He earned his living as a merchant.

In 1776, when it became clear the British were about to occupy New York, Manuel and a number of other Jews who supported the Revolution relocated to Philadelphia. There he became an active member of Philadelphia’s Congregation Mikve Israel and was elected its parnas in 1785. He held this office until 1791.

In 1784 Josephson wrote a petition asking that a ritual bathhouse (Mikveh) be built for the women of the congregation. Here it is with his spelling and punctuation.

"It having pleased the Almig-ty G-d of Israel to appoint our lot in this country, the rulers whereof he has inspired with wisdom and a benevolent disposition toward us as a nation, whereby we enjoy every desirable privilege and great pre-eminence far beyond many of our brethren dispersed in different countries and governments. And in order to manifest our gratitude for those peculiar favours and blessings, we ought, in a very sincere manner, observe a strict and close adherence to those laws and commandments ordained by Him and delivered to our master Moses, of blessed memory, which have been handed down to us in a regular succession to the present time…

In order thereto, we, the subscribers, having taken these matters to heart and duly reflected on the many defects this congregation called Mikve Israel in Philadelphia labours under, and to our great regret and sorrow we find one in particular, which strikes us most forcibly and cannot but affect with astonishment and horror every judicious and truly religious mind. This is the want of a proper mikve or bathing place, according to our Law and institution, for the purification of married women at certain periods….

Now, therefore, in full consideration of the foregoing, we have unanimously agreed that a proper mikve or bathing place for the sole us of our congregation be forthwith built, and that no delay may be made in accomplishing so necessary and laudable a work. We do hereby, each of us for himself, most solemnly and religiously engage and promise to pay such sum of money as is annexed to our respective names, without any hesitation or demur whatever, unto such person or persons as shall hereafter be nominated for the purpose of receiving the said subscription money and to see the said work carried on and completed. And we flatter ourselves that every married man will use the most persuasive and every other means to induce his wife to a strict compliance with that duty so incumbent upon them, that so the Almig-ty may look down in mercy upon us, and send the Redeemer to Zion in our days. Amen, so be it so be it"

By 1786 the Mikveh had been erected and placed under Josephson's supervision.."

For more on Jacobson and early US congregational life please click  here.