Growing Up Without Starting Over

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By Carrie Bornstein, Executive Director  Outgoing voicemail message re-recorded: check. Email signature reflecting new title: check. Business cards, name tag: check, check. Facebook status updated for first day on the job… now it must be real. The number one question I’ve received recently is, “So, what’s next for Mayyim Hayyim?  Are you going to make […]

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Don't Take My Word for It

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by Carrie Bornstein, Incoming Executive Director   I just made my donation to support Mayyim Hayyim’s newly named Aliza Kline Internship in Jewish Professional Leadership. I know what you’re thinking… “of COURSE she made the donation – big whoop.” But stick with me here. Yes, I’m a little biased… but take a look at this […]

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"Mayyim Hayyim Announces Carrie Bornstein as Executive Director"

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by Carrie Bornstein I am blessed. Humbled. Honored. I was drawn to Mayyim Hayyim since the day I learned about it.  From the beginning, I knew I wanted to contribute to its success, in whatever way I could.  What I did not realize, though, was the profound impact the organization would have on my life.  […]

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Carrie Bornstein

Celebrating 10,000

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Written by Carrie Bornstein It happened. With balloons, family, pictures, and laughter. Our ten thousandth immersion. Ten thousand. Just the sound of it is impressive.  I’ll say it again: ten thousand. One-by-one we counted. Reaching such a milestone, we can’t help but reflect.  What does it mean for a mikveh to have touched so many […]

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Creating an Organizational Culture of Learning

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by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Executive Director A few weeks ago, I had the honor of representing Mayyim Hayyim at Slingshot Day in New York.  Recognized as one of their “Standard Bearers” for ongoing innovation, impact, strong leadership, and organizational efficacy, Mayyim Hayyim is in good company with other fabulous organizations.  Slingshot convened representatives from each of […]

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Conversion by Proxy

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by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Executive Director When I first saw the headlines about Anne Frank’s posthumous baptism, I thought it odd, to say the least. Days later, the news came about Daniel Pearl. Thankfully the Mormon Church later released this letter clarifying its policy that such baptisms by proxy should not include names from certain […]

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Mikveh: It’s Not Magic

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by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Executive Director With nightfall coming so early during the winter, Shabbat lunch with friends often turns into a lazy post-meal afternoon of exhausted parents sitting around enjoying each other’s company, while their animated young children turn the host’s place upside-down.  Hypothetically speaking, of course. On one such recent occasion, the next thing […]

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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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A Public Service Announcement for the Mikveh World

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Written by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Executive Director I’ve visited my fair share of mikvehs over the years, particularly as I’ve gotten more and more into the mikveh biz.  Coming to Mayyim Hayyim, I’ve become accustomed to a warm welcome, meaningful preparation, and a dignified experience. But some of the things that make Mayyim Hayyim special […]

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Supporting Survivors of Abuse

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Written by Carrie Bornstein, Acting Director at Mayyim Hayyim Every immersion at Mayyim Hayyim is unique.  Each person brings his own reason for visiting, her own story.  But when I think of all the stories I have been blessed to know, one in particular comes to mind: “Marci” visited from out of town after she […]

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Top 10 Reasons to Be a Volunteer Mikveh Guide

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Written by Carrie Bornstein Shortly after Mayyim Hayyim opened in 2004, I remember the nervous excitement I felt opening the email inviting applications for volunteer Mikveh Guides.  “Would they accept me,” I thought?  “Do I have what it takes?” Incidentally, it all worked out okay. Little did any of us who became Mikveh Guides know, […]

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No More Learner's Permit

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Written by Carrie Bornstein I remember the first time I ever drove by myself. As soon as I got my license, the deal was that if I drove my father to the train station, I could use the car for the day. My alarm went off early – 6:30, to be precise – plenty of […]

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