Varna is the third-largest city in Bulgaria and the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in the Northern Bulgaria region. The original Jewish settlers immigrated during the Spanish expulsion and Russian Ashkenazim joined later. Unfortunately, Jewish life as they knew it came to an end with the rise of communism and when Rabbi Yosef Halpern “happened” to chance upon this community 13 years ago, there was no semblance of Jewish life in any shape or form.

During his first Tishrei in Varna many of the local residents were so excited that his home began to take on the role of a Chabad House. This continued until it became so busy that the neighbors complained that it was taking on a commercial presence. As a result, Rabbi Halpern purchased a dedicated Chabad House with space for a mikvah, three years ago. This had a transformational impact on the entire community and even those further afield.

Rabbi Halpern is connected with around 500 local Yidden and 30 have already joined his community as committed Shomer Torah U’mitzvos. There were around 10 individuals who endured a long, difficult journey to get to a Mikvah each month and once Mikvah Tahara heard of their Mesiras Nefesh, we committed to making a local Mikvah possible. In the two months since its unofficial opening, the Mikvah was used for 25 Tevilos.