Mikveh and the State: Who Decides Who's In and Who's Out?

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Written by Aliza Kline, Executive Director Mikveh is in the news here in Israel. Not regarding the battle of allowing Reform and Conservative clergy to bring conversion candidates to the mikveh – though that’s still ongoing in the courts. This is a new case that could have far reaching consequences – though for me it […]

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When the Mikveh Feels Overwhelming

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Written by Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus, Clinical Director at the Medical Center for Female Sexuality                 Often, we hear women talking about the positive impact of using the  mikveh. They may talk about it being a meaningful religious or life-stage experience, or they may talk about the positive […]

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Maybe God

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by Lisa Berman, Education Center Director Picture this: a sixth grader, participating in an education program at Mayyim Hayyim, responds to the question “who do you think might accompany someone when they are at or in the mikveh?” He answers: “No one. Well, maybe God.” Both of these 2 very brief statements are fascinating to […]

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When Mikveh Isn't Enough

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by Anonymous This is uncomfortable to admit, but I feel a tremendous relief when my period starts. It’s not because I’m worried about an unplanned, or, honestly, unwanted pregnancy. It’s because I know sex is off the horizon until I immerse. A few years ago my husband and I decided to take on the mitzvah […]

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Nurturing The Spirit

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by Nina Stewart, Administrative Assistant                                                                       In the month and a half that I have been working at Mayyim Hayyim, I […]

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The Words on Our Gates

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By Stepheny Riemer, Member of Mayyim Hayyim’s Art Committee The words “Come in Peace” and “Go in Peace,” in English and Hebrew, now appear on the        archway to Mayyim Hayyim, completing the entryway to a special haven. The signs mark a destination and an immersion experience that has the power to heighten the […]

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A Thank-You To, and From, the Community

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by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Executive Director Thank you. Thank you to all 1,254 of you who made a contribution, in any amount, to Mayyim Hayyim in 2011.  Whether you gave early in the year, right up until the end, or anytime in between… Whether we asked you directly, whether you chose to give unprompted… Your […]

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I Love This Blog

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By Anita Diamant, Mayyim Hayyim President and Founder         Greetings to you, my virtual friends, I just wanted to say that I love this blog. I love the diversity of topics and the diversity of voices. I love the title of this blog. “The Mikveh Lady has Left the Building,“ which means that […]

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Shabbat and Holidays

A Hanukkah Message

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Written by Aliza Kline, Executive Director of Mayyim Hayyim        Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Hanukkah! The other night we lit our first candles and our girls, Ela (7.5), Gila (5) and Nomi (2.5), along with new Israeli friends, sang their little hearts out in traditional Hebrew songs and then proceeded to fill up on latkes, homemade […]

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Welcome, Cohort Seven!

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Written by Sara Smolover, Interim Mikveh Center Coordinator     Celebration and tears marked the final Siyyum of their training on December 13th when 10 special women joined the community of Mikveh Guides at Mayyim Hayyim. It has been a pleasure and an honor to get to know them. I thought it might be nice for you […]

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Ten Years Later…

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It’s been nearly ten years since Mayyim Hayyim founder Anita Diamant published the essay “Why I Want a Mikveh” in The Water’s Edge—our early print newsletter.  As we near the end of 2011, it’s amazing to reread these words and see just how much of her initial dream for a mikveh and education center has […]

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