The Benefits of Budgeting by Committee

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by Sherri Goldman, Administrative and Finance Director The Mayyim Hayyim 2014 budget is almost approved. We’re almost there, awaiting final approval from our Board of Directors in just a few weeks. I always find this time to be a mix of relief that the budget is so close to being complete, and a sense of accomplishment from […]

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Pilgrim in a New Land

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by Walton Clark, Office Assistant Whenever you start work at a new place there is an adjustment period. You have to learn exactly how you are going to operate amongst the other employees, pick up the office culture, and get acclimated to your physical surroundings. This would take some adjustment for any person. For me, […]

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Usually I am Above

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a 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 […]

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Making the Sacred Beautiful

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By: Caroline Potter, Mayyim Hayyim Volunteer I wrote this on my last day – for this summer at least – as a volunteer at Mayyim Hayyim. In two weeks, I return to my “real life” and “real job” as a high school English teacher. This whole summer has been marvelously relaxing and rewarding for me. […]

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Not the Only One

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Editor’s note:  The writer of this post wishes to remain anonymous I’m afraid of water, and I know I’m not the only one. Years of swimming lessons did nothing for me — after all, if you won’t put your face in the water or take your feet off the ground, you’re not going to get […]

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My Summer Vacation at the Water

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by Sherri Goldman, Administrative and Finance Director   I feel so renewed and refreshed – I’ve just returned back to work from my summer vacation.  As I was planning my vacation, I began to think of all the good and necessary reasons for getting away. I get so caught up in my responsibilities at work […]

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We Are Water Striders

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by Donna Vatnick   Water saturates the soil, balms the sky, fills the seas, and swirls between our fingers as we wash our hands before meals. This perfect transparence, a beautiful reflection of the world around us, exists in water. The most striking image I remember from high school biology is that of a water […]

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Isn’t It Ironic?

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By Lisa Berman, Paula Brody & Family Education Center Director at Mayyim Hayyim   “Irony: an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.” “Isn’t it ironic” sang Alanis Morissette. Many have pointed out that Alanis’ “ironies” were not, by definition, actually ironic. (See a comedic, “corrected” version of her song). […]

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Rain Rain Go Away?

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by Samantha Testa, Development Intern   On my first day of my internship at Mayyim Hayyim it was pouring rain.  As I was greeted by staff, I remarked that I hated the rain. Leah’s response effectively changed the way I think about rain. Leah said that she, too, didn’t like the rain, but after working […]

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Appreciating Water in the Desert

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By Al Tanenbaum, Guest Blogger   *Originally posted on June 12, 2013 on www.rj.org   This week’s Torah portion, Chukat, is uncommonly rich with themes of life, death, leadership, and faith. Most often it is thought of for its nearly impenetrable and detailed commandment for using the ashes of an unblemished cow for cleansing those […]

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What Are You Wearing?

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by Rachel CaraDonna, Communications and Social Media Intern   Preparing for my interview at Mayyim Hayyim was incredibly nerve-wracking!  As much as I read about it online, I was still so far from understanding the real definition of a community mikveh. Would I be greeted by Orthodox women? What’s appropriate to wear? I was afraid […]

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