Home Schedule Workshops Speakers Registration Resources Mikveh Poster

God said, "Let the water below the sky be gathered into one area, that the dry land may appear"  And it was so.  Genesis 1:9

Sunday June 4, 2006

Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center
1838 Washington Street, Newton MA

Understand the seven steps involved in creating a community mikveh and education center: shaping a vision, finding a site, designing with the highest halakhic and aesthetic standards, educating the broader Jewish community, involving the community in fundraising, engaging a wide spectrum of volunteers, and establishing welcoming policies and procedures. Conference participants who wish to create a new sacred space in their own community or those who want to gain a greater appreciation of the dream that became Mayyim Hayyim should plan to attend this special pre-conference seminar.
Faculty: Lisa Berman, Kathy Bloomfield, Anita Diamant, Aliza Kline, members of the Mayyim Hayyim Board of Directors: Paula Brody, Jason and Judy Chudnofsky, Merrill Hassenfeld, Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Rabbi Henry Zoob

 

5:00 PM

Monday June 5, 2006
Temple Shalom, 175 Temple Street, Newton, MA
 

Registration Opens, Continental Breakfast
 

Worship Service and Torah Reading
Rabbi Daniel Liben, Rabbi Barbara Penzer
 

Welcome to This Historic Gathering
 Dr. Paula Brody, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Union for Reform Judaism Northeast Council
 

Morning Workshop Sessions
Jewish Text Study
Responsa for a Contemporary Mikveh

Creating a community mikveh poses unique challenges and raises new halakhic questions. This interactive session will explore contemporary responsa for mikvaot, embracing all aspects of Jewish family life.

Faculty: Rabbi Daniel Judson, Rabbi Daniel Liben, Rabbi Toba Spitzer

Conversion Initiatives
Naked in the Waters: The Vulnerable Moment of Becoming a Jew
This workshop introduces innovative rituals that enhance the overall conversion experience for new Jews, including ceremonies that involve their extended family circle. We will share best practices that enable adult conversion candidates to prepare for Beit Din and immersion.
Faculty: Kathy Bloomfield, Kathy Kahn, Rabbi Jonathan Kraus, Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Dr. Judith Kates (moderator)

New Rituals
Marking Milestones in Our Lives
Since biblical times, immersion in living waters has enabled Jews to mark major transitions in their lives. We will discuss ancient and contemporary opportunities for mikveh to move us from one known place in our lives into the unknown. We will focus on the creation of meaningful rituals to sanctify these new steps along life’s journey.
Faculty: Dr. Deborah Issokson, Dr. Lori Lefkovitz, Dr. Vanessa Ochs, Matia Rania Angelou (moderator)

Jewish Education/Curriculum Development
Introducing Mikveh in our Religious School Curricula
We will discuss innovative ways to acquaint children in our religious schools with mikveh as a meaningful Jewish life-cycle ritual and analyze newly developed educational materials on mikveh for primary and secondary grades. The workshop will highlight unique mikveh projects chosen by B’nai Mitzvah candidates.
Faculty: Lauren Applebaum, Lisa Berman, Ben, Amy & Michael Chartock, Marion Gribetz (moderator)

The Power of Immersion
Sanctifying Intimacy
Mikveh can be an enhancement to sexuality in intimate relationships. Explore how observance of the ancient laws of Niddah can bring new meaning to intimacy in contemporary relationships. A panel of men and women will speak to the power and purpose in renewing relationships through immersion.
Faculty: Rabbi Miriam Berkowitz, Rabbi David Lerner, Sharon Levin, Cookie Rosenbaum, Rabbi Lauren Berkun (moderator)
 

Luncheon Buffet Hosted by Our Boston and National Partners
 

Afternoon Workshop Sessions
Jewish Text Study
Tumah and Tahara: Possibilities for Redefining Ritual Readiness
Contemporary insights on the laws and practices of Niddah. Using contemporary sources to explore concepts of Tumah (ritual impurity) and Tahara (ritual purity), we will explore new ways of envisioning being pure.
Faculty: Dr. Rachel Adler, Rabbi Lauren Berkun, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Rabbi William Hamilton (moderator)

Conversion Initiatives
Before and After Conversion: Supporting Jewish Journeys
A panel of Jews-by-Choice will share their personal stories of transition into Jewish life, describing both the experiences that influenced their decision to become Jewish as well as the most difficult moments in their Jewish lives, such as mourning the loss of a non-Jewish parent. This workshop will explore how the new uses of mikveh can bring spiritual comfort to new Jews.
Faculty: Richard Hanna, Kathy Kahn, Kathy Lord Kates, Pam McArthur, John McNamara, Kathy Bloomfield (moderator)

New Rituals
Celebrating Joyous Occasions with Mikveh
Preparations for Shabbat and holidays, weddings, anniversaries, B’nai Mitzvah, birthdays and affirmation ceremonies all provide opportunities to “Just Add Water” to mark these life transitions. Explore new immersion ceremonies to celebrate these moments.
Faculty: Lee Apple, Rabbi Jonathan Kraus, Rabbi Judy Kummer, Mina Saidel, Sarah & Elyse Shuster, Karen Wine, Lisa Berman (moderator)

Jewish Education/Curriculum Development
Youth, Sexuality and Mikveh
We will discuss how mikveh can become a sacred starting point for discussing sexuality and intimate relationships for our Jewish youth. This session will take an in-depth look at newly developed curricula on mikveh and sexuality highlighting the insights and wisdom Jewish teenagers bring to their class visits to the mikveh. Participants will brainstorm innovative ways to open sensitive discussions with our youth regarding the sanctity of intimacy.
Faculty: Judy Greene, Dr. Deborah Issokson, Dr. Lori Lefkovitz, Alison Kur (moderator)

The Power of Immersion
Men and Mikveh
Join in a lively discussion of men reclaiming the power of immersion. Learn how men, seeking spiritual renewal and marking transitions in their lives, have found new meaning in the sacred waters of our tradition.
Faculty: Jeff Berman, Merrill Hassenfeld, Stephen Landau, Rabbi Daniel Liben, Rabbi Lev Ba’esh (moderator)
 

4:30 PM

•   Humor as a Path to Spirituality - Experience renewal through laughter
    Faculty: Reb Moshe Waldoks

·         Meeting the Matriarchs - Noted authors introduce our biblical foremothers
Faculty:  Dr. Vanessa Ochs

•   Women and Niddah
    Faculty:  Rabbi Miriam Berkowitz

·         Immersion in Fabric - Self expression through Fiber Art

Faculty: Steffi Aronson Karp

·         Raise a Joyful Voice – Uplifting songs to renew your energy
Faculty: Morah Lorel Zar-Kessler

•   Dialogue with Representatives of Contemporary Mikvaot
    Faculty: Aliza Kline

•   Tour of Mayyim Hayyim - walk to the mikveh for a tour

Faculty: Bonnie Gerber Jenson

6:00 PM

Meet the Authors Reception and Book Signing
Yosef I. Abramowitz, Dr. Rachel Adler, Susan Berrin, Ed Case, Dr. Norman Cohen, Anita Diamant, Rabbi Elyse M. Goldstein, Rabbi Daniel Judson, Dr. Lori Hope Lefkovitz, Dr. Vanessa Ochs, Reb Moshe Waldoks
 

Light Dinner Buffet
 

7:30 PM

Dessert Reception and Book Signing
 

Tuesday June 6, 2006
Temple Shalom, 175 Temple Street, Newton, MA
 

Registration Opens, Continental Breakfast
 

Healing Service
Cantor Jodi Sufrin, Rabbi Elaine Zecher

Morning Keynote: Gathering The Waters - Pouring New Meaning into Ancient Rituals
The Boston Jewish community has built an institution that has never existed before in Jewish history. Mayyim Hayyim is more than the ritual bath of our ancestors. How does Mayyim Hayyim, an intimate center for Jewish spirituality and learning, offer a threshold into Jewish life for the 21st century?
Anita Diamant, Founder and President, Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center
 

Morning Workshop Sessions
Jewish Text Study
Hilchot Mikvaot: The Laws of Construction and Use of a Mikveh
An in-depth look at the Talmudic texts regarding mikveh construction, addressing the requirements for building and maintaining a contemporary mikveh with the highest halakhic standards.
Faculty: Rabbi Scott Rosenberg, Bill Rubin, Merrill Hassenfeld (moderator)

Jewish Text Study
Responsa for a Contemporary Mikveh
Creating a community mikveh poses unique challenges and raises new halakhic questions. This interactive session will explore contemporary responsa for mikvaot, embracing all aspects of Jewish family life.
Faculty: Rabbi Daniel Judson, Rabbi Carl Perkins, Rabbi Barbara Penzner (moderator)

Conversion Initiatives
Immersion for Affirmation of Jewish Identity
What are best practices for immersion of babies, adopted children and others coming into the waters to affirm their Jewish identity? How do you discuss immersion with someone who identifies as Jewish but requires immersion for halakhic authenticity? How can we increase our sensitivity to delicate situations involving teenagers and others who feel exposed in the waters?
Faculty: Kathy Bloomfield, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Susan Heffron, Jennifer Slifka Vidal, Rabbi Henry Zoob, Rabbi Jay Perlman (moderator)

New Rituals
Creating New Rituals for Healing, Loss and Mourning
Mikveh can create meaningful transitions from infertility and pregnancy loss, from chemotherapy, from divorce, or from loss of a loved one. Immersion in the sacred waters also offers a profound way to prepare for the end of life. This workshop will introduce new rituals using living waters to bring solace at life’s most difficult moments.
Faculty: Dr. Suzanne Hanser-Teperow, Rabbi Karen Landy, Dr. Paula Rayman, Marjorie Sokoll (moderator)

Jewish Education/Curriculum Development
Guide My Steps: Training for Mikveh Guides
The unique role of mikveh guide has been incredibly meaningful to the volunteer women and men trained to guide the steps of individuals experiencing immersion. Gain an appreciation of the remarkable challenges and fulfillment acquired in helping others experience the power of mikveh. This workshop will also introduce the in-depth curriculum developed to train mikveh guides becoming supportive ambassadors into the living waters of Judaism, dramatically redefining the role of the “Mikveh Attendant”.
Faculty: Rabbi Ilana Garber, Michael Gilman, Bonnie Gerber Jenson, Aliza Kline, Rabbi Andy Vogel (moderator)

The Power of Immersion
Mikveh as a Source of Renewal for Clergy
How have clergy used immersion to mark milestones in their own lives and found inspiration during difficult moments in their lives or in the lives of their congregants/congregation? This workshop provides clergy with opportunities to discuss spiritual growth and pastoral renewal in the living waters of our tradition. (Clergy and rabbinical/cantorial students only.)
Faculty: Rabbi Eric Gurvis, Rabbi Andrew Klein, Rabbi Daniel Liben, Rabbi Michelle Pearlman (moderator)
 

Luncheon Buffet Hosted by Mayyim Hayyim Mikveh Guides

Luncheon Keynote: Envisioning Holiness and Creating Community
Mayyim Hayyim brought together many diverse segments of the Boston community committed to re-envisioning Mikveh. How does a community build a center of learning and renewal that allows contemporary Jews to experience the sacred?
Barry Shrage, President, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
 

For more information contact Maria Benet
Phone: 781.449.0404 or 888.291.8242  Email:  mbenet@urj.org

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