The morning I went to the mikveh for my conversion to Judaism, I wrote about observance and wholeness. I reflected on what it meant to be embarking on this journey and the words that kept coming back to me were: “I am a Jewish woman. I will be a Jewish woman. I am ready to […]
Continue Readingby Jody Comins, Development and Events Coordinator Last Thursday night, we celebrated our founding President, Anita Diamant. I want to send out a shout out to all of our Co-chairs, Host Committee, Staff and volunteers who helped to plan and execute a fabulous event. For those of you who weren’t able to be there to […]
Continue Readingby Justin Womack, the first in a two part series of a couple’s mikveh experience It was June 18, 2013,–Tzadik Lev’s birthday. People always ask what does it feel to be an African-American man who converted to Judaism? I always wonder why that matters. A member of the tribe is a member of the tribe! […]
Continue Readingby Carrie Bornstein Last week I attended Advancing Women Professionals and the Jewish Community’s “Changing the Future, Now!” conference. I entered the day feeling confident about our work in promoting gender equality; after all, for twelve years Mayyim Hayyim’s staff, board, and volunteers have primarily been women. But I was taken aback early on in […]
Continue Readingby Nancy Sohn Schwartz Originally posted on Rabbitziona.com. Reposted with permission from author. Three months ago, just after my 69th birthday, I went to the mikveh. It was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Ten years ago, while attending a CAJE Conference at Ohio State University, I was approached by a man, […]
Continue Readingby Lisa Berman, Director of Education Often at Mayyim Hayyim we focus on the transitional moments in people’s lives, the moments where something is changing, happening — a stopping point where we are encouraged to take note of this point in time. But let’s be honest. While these pivotal moments are the center of attention for much […]
Continue Readinga poem by Rabbi Emma Gottlieb Usually I am above, _____looking down I avert my eyes as they descend and then connect with them to say the prayers _____to share the joy _____to complete the process _____to witness I am the rabbi I lead I accompany I affirm, confirm, and reaffirm I am the guide […]
Continue ReadingBy: Mayyim Hayyim Staff September, for many people, is a month of transition as summer moves into milder days, children return to school, and Jewish calendar turns over into the new year. Immersion ceremonies are ways to mark transition and we are grateful that so many people shared their spiritual transitions this month by immersing […]
Continue Readingby Emilia Diamant Last week at a planning meeting for the Girls Night Out event, I was asked to respond to the question: “Why do you want a mikveh?” Many in the room shared answers about their personal immersions, family experiences, or just generally liking the idea of the place. When it came my turn, […]
Continue Readingby Rachel CaraDonna, Mayyim Hayyim Development Intern Summer is transitioning quickly into fall; the air is becoming noticeably crisp and the leaves are beginning to change. The season known best in New England brings along the classic activities and foods such as apple picking, pumpkin carving, apple crisp, and pumpkin pie. Going anywhere, it’s inevitable […]
Continue Readingby Tucker Lieberman I am a Humanist Jew. I am a Jew by birth, upbringing, education, and community. I believe in rational inquiry and skepticism. I am a person who shies from labels, but nonetheless, I am a Humanist Jew. Exactly what is it, I have been asked, that draws a humanist to a mikveh? […]
Continue Readingby Leah Hart Tennen, Mikveh Center Director As a staff member and Mikveh Guide at Mayyim Hayyim, I often get asked how often, when and why I immerse. That might be a personal question to some, but I don’t mind. I actually like talking about my immersion experiences because each one led to the next […]
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