Written by Carrie Bornstein
It’s not every day that a mikveh is born.
So when a picture like this arrives in our inbox:
you can bet it makes us smile. “Libi Eir” (Awakened Heart) at Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh, NC, is nearing completion.
What’s even better? This is not just any mikveh. There are 19 women and 3 men in North Carolina who have been trained with Mayyim Hayyim’s seven session, “Guide My Steps,” volunteer Mikveh Guide training. Rabbi Jenny Solomon, spearheading the efforts, attended Mayyim Hayyim’s, Gathering the Waters International Mikveh Conference in October 2010, and is working in consultation with Mayyim Hayyim to bring Libi Eir to life. She has worked in collaboration with leaders in the Raleigh community to interview, select, and train these volunteers who are now waiting – just waiting – for construction to finish and warm water to fill their pools.
Then, their sacred work will begin. They will welcome, educate, support, celebrate, and witness immersions. They will sensitively and skillfully offer each person what she needs – what he needs – to mark life’s transitions.
Rabbi Yaacov Love, Mayyim Hayyim’s Rav HaMachshir – supervising rabbi who ensures the kashrut of our collection and immersion pools – traveled all the way to Raleigh from Passaic, NJ, to give the “OK” for concrete to be poured.
The construction continues.
We’ll be blogging the Making of a Mikveh as Libi Eir makes its way into the world. In the meantime, b’sha’ah tovah u’mutzlachat – this mikveh should arise in a good and successful time, with 22 new Mikveh Guides ready for their task!
Click here to read more about Rabbi Jenny Solomon’s “Mikveh Misdemeanors” and her vision for Libi Eir.
Carrie Bornstein is the Assistant Director at Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center. She lives in Sharon, MA with her husband, Jamie, their children, Eliana and Dov, and a tank full of freshwater fish. Follow her on twitter @carolinering.