Written by Rachel Galper Rachel wrote this monologue for Libi Eir’s “Scenes from the Mikveh Monologues” production. For as long as I could remember, I’d hated myself. I hated my body, my feelings, and the dark, nasty voices inside my head. I hated being a Jew and a woman- a living, walking target. And I was furious at […]
Continue ReadingIn the midst of our month-long series honoring National Domestic Abuse Awareness month, we offer you a selection of quotes from our guest books. These words of reflection, hope, and healing have been left for you to read by our visitors: “This was my first experience immersing in a mikveh, and it will take […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein Another version of this post was first published on the Academy for Jewish Religion website. Sitting in a private bathroom stall on Rosh Hashanah at my synagogue, I notice a sign for a hotline for domestic abuse. I am saddened that we need such signs. I am relieved that we […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Aliza Kline What does it take to create real change in Jewish life? I mean real change, not just changing language from kiruv to outreach to engagement. I mean changing access to ritual, and reframing Jewish experiences so that they actually feel different. How different is it to make change in Israel versus […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Adrienne Query-Fiss Shalom Bayit, a “peaceful home,” is one of the key philosophies of an observant Jewish household. For a married couple, it’s a dance of give-and-take, an ideal relationship not just to one’s spouse, but to the acts themselves of compromise and reconciliation. True shalom bayit is about reconciling two selves, two […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Director at Mayyim Hayyim Every immersion at Mayyim Hayyim is unique. Each person brings his own reason for visiting, her own story. But when I think of all the stories I have been blessed to know, one in particular comes to mind: “Marci” visited from out of town after she […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Deena Blau I was fortunate to learn about Anita Diamant’s dream of a modern mikveh long before it came to fruition. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I awaited our new mikveh with curiosity and excitement. When Mayyim Hayyim opened its doors in May of 2004, I had my first opportunity to actually see […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Raquel Rosenblatt, Director of Development at Mayyim Hayyim When my older daughter Naomi turned five, her birthday fell on Rosh Hashanah. Sitting in the children’s service in temple that afternoon, she was ecstatic to learn that she shared a birthday with none other than the WHOLE WORLD. Now nine years old, she understands […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Aliza Kline Reposted from Aliza and her husband Bradley’s Israel blog. It was not easy, there is no online listing in English, or apparently in Hebrew, of area mikvaot. Many of the people I’ve met here are not mikveh goers – and are definitely not aware of the tucked away mikvaot in the […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Miriam Anzovin, Administrative Assistant at Mayyim Hayyim When a new visitor to Mayyim Hayyim walks through the door, they are often surprised (but pleasantly so) to discover that an art gallery resides here, in addition to our mikva’ot and education center. Having art on the walls is an integral characteristic of Mayyim Hayyim […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Lisa Berman, Education Center Director at Mayyim Hayyim I know this is not a popular sentiment, and I’m a little nervous to even admit it here— but, I hate fall. I am a summer girl through and through. I love the beach (in summer, folks; when you can swim and the sand is […]
Continue ReadingExactly one year ago we launched our blog with “Mikveh Baby,” about some of our happiest immersions. While shooting, filmmaker Jennifer Kaplan was so struck by the themes of welcome and inclusion that kept resurfacing, she decided she had to make a sequel. What better way to celebrate than with another beautiful film? Like what you […]
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