by Lisa Berman, Mikveh and Education Director Mayyim Hayyim is no stranger to fertility. As mikva’ot have for hundreds of years, we are a touchpoint for individuals at all different moments on their journeys to building a family. We feel fortunate to offer both a reflective space during times of joy and, when needed, a refuge for […]
Continue ReadingIn honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, we are reminded of Carrie’s brave decision to help a Jewish couple begin their family by becoming a gestational surrogate. Enjoy a glimpse into her journey and keep your eyes open for Mayyim Hayyim’s Fertility Journeys: A Jewish Healing Guide – coming soon! By Carrie Bornstein, Executive Director Life […]
Continue Readingby Naomi Baine My husband and I go to the mikveh together. It may not be common, but for us, it’s great. Here’s why. We observe niddah, the practice of abstaining from sexual intimacy around the time of menstruation. The Torah forbids men from being intimate with women in a state of menstrual impurity (Leviticus […]
Continue ReadingOn May 24, Mayyim Hayyim’s Coming Up for Air will celebrate three leaders whose boundless energy and innovative thinking keep us on the growing edge of the Jewish world. We are grateful for their partnership in helping make Mayyim Hayyim and the greater Jewish community warm and welcoming. Sheri and Eli Gurock met in nursery school […]
Continue Readingby Gail Sacco I am a 64-year-old Conservative Jew, and I love that being Jewish means I have the opportunity to continually learn and enrich my life. In 2010, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and radiation because the cells were primarily in situ, meaning they were just beginning to […]
Continue Readingby Amber Caulkins, Director of Rising Tide Mikveh Network Telling my own story can be a challenge. I love to tell other people’s stories (I studied journalism in undergrad, after all), but sharing what has been most meaningful in my own life takes practice. Fortunately, working at Mayyim Hayyim to support the development of our […]
Continue ReadingAn oldie but goodie – reshared from March 2017 by Wendy Handler, Mikveh Guide A friend recently sent me an email that said, “Keep calm and carry on… spring is coming!” with a beautiful picture of budding flowers in my favorite colors. The message did little to soothe my nerves. Spring is coming… translation: Passover […]
Continue Readingby Rachel Eisen, Director of Annual Giving No, this is not fundraising pitch. I really just want to talk to you about money. (But if you’re interested…) My husband, Nate, and I have lived together for almost four years. But until about a year ago, we’d never had a household budget that we followed, tracked, […]
Continue Readingby Carrie Bornstein, Executive Director “Just raise your hand if you need an extra blanket,” my restorative yoga teacher said slowly, “or another block, or maybe some hands-on support. I’m here to spoil you rotten tonight, if there’s anything at all that you need.” “What would you like to order? Let’s start here: What do […]
Continue ReadingOriginally posted on February 29, 2016 by Ilana Snapstailer When I brought my 7th grade Rosh Hodesh group to Mayyim Hayyim, we learned about the aquatic lift meant to help someone with a disability use the mikveh. When Mikveh and Education Director, Lisa Berman, asked the girls, “Why might someone with a disability use the mikveh?” […]
Continue Readingby Lisa Berman, Mikveh and Education Director “Supervising and supporting Volunteer Mikveh Guides.” This is what is says in my job description. Sounds pretty straightforward. And, we have 85 active Mikveh Guides: 85 unique individuals who were trained 4 months to 14 years ago (with ongoing continuing education and weekly suggestions and tips to reinforce […]
Continue Readingby Bryan Mann I came to immerse after standing with a group of clergy against white supremacy in Charlottesville during the “Unite the Right” march. I have never experienced trauma like this and am so grateful Mayyim Hayyim could offer a space to begin the healing process. Thank you so much! “Thank you” feels so […]
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