Chanukah Presence

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by Robin Weintraub A few weeks ago, I became the new Mikveh Center Coordinator.  Into the mikveh I jumped with both feet (only figuratively, of course; Mayyim Hayyim and, incidentally, the Rambam advise against actually jumping into the mikveh).  Much to my own astonishment and that of those who know me well, I haven’t fallen in […]

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LGBTQ+

Safe, Seen and Sanctified

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by Ari Lev Fornari  One of my favorite facts about a mikveh is that the water cannot mekabel tumah, it cannot become ritually impure. Which is to say, it can’t be tainted or contaminated. Not even by a pig, the living embodiment of ritual impurity. When I first learned this concept, I remember releasing a sigh […]

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Proud

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by Lisa Berman, Director of Education  Recently I had the opportunity to talk about Mayyim Hayyim and mikveh to a group of senior citizens, residents of the lovely Golda Meir House, just a few doors down from our organizational home here in Newton, MA. The turnout was better than I expected with about 19 women […]

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Tikvah (Hope) in the Mikveh

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by Rabbi Ilana C. Garber While it hasn’t always been easy, I’ve spent most of my married life attending the local mikveh in my small town.  It’s not as beautiful as Mayyim Hayyim, but the warm waters and kind mikveh guide have welcomed me each month, and I truly enjoy the mitzvah of taharat hamishpacha, family […]

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The Stories of Our Work

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by Carrie Bornstein It’s been a while since I’ve written about one of my favorite topics: social media. When we began this blog in 2010 we knew we had lots of stories to share. For those of us lucky enough to spend a good deal of time at Mayyim Hayyim, we’re inspired daily by people […]

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With the Calmness of Abraham

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Rabbi Rachel Silverman is the Rabbi for Congregational Learning at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline.  The following is an excerpt from the story I shared with my congregation on Rosh Hashanah. The full text of the sermon can be found here. (http://congki.org/rosh-hashana-sermon-rabbi-silverman/)  A few months ago, I received an interesting call from a colleague in […]

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The Benefits of Budgeting by Committee

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by Sherri Goldman, Administrative and Finance Director The Mayyim Hayyim 2014 budget is almost approved. We’re almost there, awaiting final approval from our Board of Directors in just a few weeks. I always find this time to be a mix of relief that the budget is so close to being complete, and a sense of accomplishment from […]

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Real Men Can Dunk

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By Edward C. Bermant Even though my wife has visited the mikveh and my daughter is Mayyim Hayyim’s Executive Director, it never occurred to me that I would go to a mikveh and immerse. That was something women do, not men. It never occurred to me until I retired. It was not about being closer to the end […]

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Pilgrim in a New Land

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by Walton Clark, Office Assistant Whenever you start work at a new place there is an adjustment period. You have to learn exactly how you are going to operate amongst the other employees, pick up the office culture, and get acclimated to your physical surroundings. This would take some adjustment for any person. For me, […]

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He Said, She Said, Part 2

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The morning I went to the mikveh for my conversion to Judaism, I wrote about observance and wholeness.  I reflected on what it meant to be embarking on this journey and the words that kept coming back to me were: “I am a Jewish woman.  I will be a Jewish woman.  I am ready to […]

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Roasting and Toasting Anita Diamant

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by Jody Comins, Development and Events Coordinator Last Thursday night, we celebrated our founding President, Anita Diamant. I want to send out a shout out to all of our Co-chairs, Host Committee, Staff and volunteers who helped to plan and execute a fabulous event. For those of you who weren’t able to be there to […]

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He Said, She Said, Part 1

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by Justin Womack, the first in a two part series of a couple’s mikveh experience It was June 18, 2013,–Tzadik Lev’s birthday.  People always ask what does it feel to be an African-American man who converted to Judaism? I always wonder why that matters. A member of the tribe is a member of the tribe! […]

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