Home Schedule Workshops Speakers Registration Resources Mikveh Poster


Choose an in-depth learning experience by selecting one of five specific tracks or select workshops of your preference throughout the conference.  Workshop presenters in formation.

Jewish Text Study

  • Hilchot Mikvaot: The Laws of Construction and Use of a Mikveh (Tuesday  Morning)
    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)
     

  • Tumah and Tahara: Possibilities for Redefining Ritual Readiness (Monday Afternoon)
    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)
     

  • Responsa for a Contemporary Mikveh (Monday and Tuesday Morning)
    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 Carl Perkins, Rabbi Toba Spitzer, Rabbi Barbara Penzner (moderator)

Conversion Initiatives

  • Naked in the Waters: The Vulnerable Moment of Becoming a Jew (Monday Morning)
    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)
     

  • Before and After Conversion: Supporting Jewish Journeys (Monday Afternoon)
    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)
     

  • Immersion for Affirmation of Jewish Identity (Tuesday Morning)
    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

  • Marking Milestones in Our Lives (Monday Morning)
    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)
     

  • Celebrating Joyous Occasions with Mikveh (Monday Afternoon)
    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)
     

  • Creating New Rituals for Healing, Loss and Mourning (Tuesday Morning)
    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

  • Introducing Mikveh in our Religious School Curricula (Monday Morning)
    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)
     

  • Youth, Sexuality and Mikveh (Monday Afternoon)
    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)
     

  • Guide My Steps: Training for Mikveh Guides (Tuesday Morning)
    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

  • Sanctifying Intimacy (Monday Morning)
    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)
     

  • Men and Mikveh (Monday Afternoon)
    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)
     

  • Mikveh as a Source of Renewal for Clergy (Tuesday Morning)
    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)
     

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

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