Translation of Hebrew Signage on Small Building

July 21, 2015 12:11 PM

There is this odd little building in my neighborhood and I would really like to know what the sign on it says and what it could possibly be used for. I saw it being built over the past year, but I have no clue what it is. Here is the building and this is the sign on front.
posted by Julnyes to Writing & Language (5 answers total)

Best answer: Ok, I tried my best. It's a sign about a donation made by someone (to me it looks like religious jews), so there's some weird religious phrases I'm not familiar with. Maybe someone else could chime in.

"Donation of the genius
Who is known for his doctrines and his charity
(not sure about this line - shorthand probably for religious or some other phrases)
Itzchak Reightprat, may he live many good years
And his wife the important Rabbi's wife
The honorable Mrs. Matel Schneidel, may she live long "

Or something along those lines.
posted by carmel at 12:29 PM on July 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Where is it? It might be a mikva (ritual bath), that could explain the tiny-ness and the discreet-ness.
posted by needs more cowbell at 12:33 PM on July 21, 2015

Best answer: those abbreviations are "the pious rabbi" and "our teacher and our rabbi"

So, the first part reads:

[this is the] donation of the genius,
famous for his Torah (in this case, his personal knowledge) and his charity,
The Pious Rabbi, our teacher and our rebbe,

etc, as written by carmel
posted by femmegrrr at 12:35 PM on July 21, 2015

This article mentions that Rabbi Raitport has funded over 120 mikvaot.
posted by needs more cowbell at 12:36 PM on July 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: It's the new women's mikva in Crown Heights. Here's an article with a shot of the building.
posted by juniperesque at 12:55 PM on July 21, 2015 [1 favorite]