When Alex Sklarz received his acceptance into Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), he knew he wanted to mark the moment in a meaningful, spiritual way. For Alex, that meant immersing in the mikveh at Mayyim Hayyim, beginning his rabbinical journey with intention and reflection. We sat down with Alex to learn more about his story, his immersion, and the path that led him to this sacred transition.
Q: Alex, can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to Mayyim Hayyim?
Absolutely. I came to Mayyim Hayyim to mark my acceptance into rabbinical school—an occasion I’ve been looking forward to for years. I grew up in a home steeped in Jewish rituals, values, and wisdom. My dad is a rabbi who taught me the importance of tikkun olam, brought me to Shabbat services, and always encouraged me to ask questions about my role in the world, both as a person and as a Jew. That said, I never felt pressured to become a rabbi myself. I was empowered by my family to discover what Judaism meant to me. Over the years, I’ve had so many formative Jewish experiences—from summer camp to social justice trips to leadership roles in Hillel at Clark University. These moments helped me deepen my Jewish identity and explore how ancient traditions speak to modern lives. They also inspired me to help others find their own connections to Judaism. So while I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to become a rabbi, my journey has been about gradually uncovering what Jewish leadership means for me. I’m thrilled to be starting rabbinical school at HUC-JIR this summer.
Q: What does mikveh mean to you? Have you immersed before?
This was actually my very first mikveh immersion. To me, mikveh represents an opportunity for a fresh start—a physical and spiritual entry into a new chapter of life. It’s a place where you can let the burdens of the past literally wash away and emerge renewed. At first, I was a little nervous—worried about saying the “right” words or doing things “perfectly.” But once I arrived, I reminded myself that this was a deeply personal moment, and it didn’t need to follow a script. I let myself simply reflect, pray, and be present. The ritual became a moment of profound clarity and peace.
Q: Why did you choose to mark your transition into rabbinical school with immersion?
I remember telling my parents months ago, while I was still applying, “If I get into HUC, I want to go to the mikveh.” Even though I had never immersed before, I knew instinctively that it would be a powerful way to mark the beginning of this new journey. Getting into rabbinical school was incredibly exciting—but it also came with the weight of responsibility. Preparing for a life of service to the Jewish people is no small thing. Immersing felt like a way to honor both the joy and the seriousness of this next step. It helped me feel grounded, centered, and ready. When I emerged from the water, I felt hopeful, energized, and deeply connected to my neshama—my soul. It gave me the strength to walk forward with confidence.
Q: What was your experience like at Mayyim Hayyim?
It was beautiful. From the moment my parents and I stepped inside, I felt welcomed into a warm, inviting, and gentle environment. I’m so grateful to the team for making space for such a personal and meaningful experience. I used the ceremony “For a Joyous Life Transition” as a guide, and let personal prayers and songs come to me. The natural light streaming into the mikveh room added such a sacred feel. The whole experience left me feeling refreshed in body, spirit, and soul. It was the perfect way to begin this new chapter.
Final Thoughts?
I just want to say thank you. Thank you to Mayyim Hayyim for making this moment so special. Your work truly strengthens and uplifts the Jewish community. I feel incredibly fortunate to have begun my rabbinical journey in such a meaningful way.
Interested in marking a transition in your life with mikveh? Learn more about immersing at Mayyim Hayyim at www.mayyimhayyim.org.