Kashrut

Mayyim Hayyim operates a kosher (proper) mikveh so that every member of the Jewish community can feel comfortable and welcomed.
Mayyim Hayyim is a kosher mikveh. Given that determinations of kashrut are always up for debate, we do our best to fully explain our understanding and execution of this fundamental principle and mitzvah.

 

Maintenance

All decisions regarding the maintenance of Mayyim Hayyim’s borot (collection pools of living water) and mikvaot are under the supervision of Rabbi Yaacov Love, from Passaic, NJ.  Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz serves as his local representative.


Design and Construction:

Mayyim Hayyim worked closely with Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman, a nationally respected rabbinic authority on all matters related to the design and construction of kosher mikvaot. Rabbi Bergman is also a retired Talmud professor from the American Jewish University, a trained civil engineer, and a member of the Rabbinic Assembly Law Committee.

 

Rabbi Bergman consulted with Mayyim Hayyim's architects at Bechtel, Frank & Erickson, to ensure that all measurements, materials and design conformed with Hilchot Mikvaot (Jewish laws concerning the construction of a mikveh). The rabbi made three site visits during construction and met with rabbis from all segments of the Boston Jewish community who also reviewed and vetted Mayyim Hayyim’s design and construction plans.

 

Upon completion of construction, Rabbi Bergman returned to Boston to ensure that the borot (the water collection pools) were constructed correctly and that the system for collecting mayyim hayyim ("living" or naturally collected water) was correct.

 

Rabbi Bergman’s Teudat Hechsher (certificate of kashrut) is prominently displayed at Mayyim Hayyim.

Mikveh Guides (Attendants)

Mikveh Guides at Mayyim Hayyim are initially selected by a team of social workers and psychologists. They attend a seven-week course taught by Jewish educators from Orthodox, Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative backgrounds using a curriculum reviewed and edited by community rabbis, mikveh experts and Jewish educators.


Mayyim Hayyim’s Mikveh Guides represent the full spectrum of Jewish religious observance. A visitor may request a specific Mikveh Guide or bring his or her own witness.


When questions concerning Niddah or Halachah arise, Mayyim Hayyim staff and Mikveh Guides consult a service provided by Nishmat called “Yoatzot.org,” which provides a a toll-free number as well as web services. Furthermore, Cookie Rosenbaum, a Mikveh Attendant from Sharon, MA and a well known mikveh educator, provides training for Mayyim Hayyim’s Mikveh Guides on the topic of Niddah (monthly immersion following menstruation).  Cookie is available for ongoing consultation regarding ketamim (spotting) and other related issues.


Kitchen and Food

Mayyim Hayyim is a vegetarian-only facility; no meat is brought into the building (fish and dairy are permitted.)  All food served by Mayyim Hayyim is certified kosher.  Individuals who bring food into the building from a kosher-certified establishment or bearing kosher certification on its packaging may use Mayyim Hayyim's dishes and silverware.  Food that has been prepared without rabbinic supervision (whether store-bought or home-made) may be brought in, however, we ask that you provide your own utensils and paper plates.



If you have questions about Mayyim Hayyim's adherence to Halacha (Jewish law) please contact Carrie Bornstein, Acting Executive Director.