Jewish Community, Shabbat and Holidays

From guest to CEO

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September 2023 / Elul 5783 Dear friend, As we embrace the season of reflection and renewal, I’m thinking about my own experience with Jewish ritual, like mikveh. Mikveh has been there to help me grow and change. It is here for so many of you at times of celebration, healing, and transition. I became Mayyim Hayyim’s […]

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Mikveh Guides, Niddah, Shabbat and Holidays

Living Waters

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By Leann Shamash So much of what is written in Parshat Metzora, this week’s Torah portion, concerning blood and emissions still lives on to this day. Who would think that a parsha which details bodily emissions would spur a tradition of mikveh, with water a liquid vehicle to heal and transform? Mayyim Hayyim has taken […]

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Shabbat and Holidays

All in a Day’s Preparation

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By Rachel Eisen, Director of Development Parshat Shemini begins with fire and brimstone, as the Mishkan (Tabernacle) is finally opened for its use in worshipping God in the desert. The opening, however, is marred by tragedy when Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, offer a “strange” sacrifice and are punished by an internally-consuming fire as […]

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Art Gallery and Education Center, Jewish Community, Shabbat and Holidays

New Year, New Exhibit, New Partnership

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by Rachel Eisen, Director of Development It’s always an exciting day when a new exhibit goes up in the Gallery @ Mayyim Hayyim. Since Mayyim Hayyim opened, our commitment to hiddur mitzvah, beautifying ritual life, has extended beyond the spa-like architecture and design of our mikveh pools and building. The principle of hiddur mitzvah dates […]

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Shabbat and Holidays

One Small Act

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Originally posted October 10, 2016 by Lisa Berman, Mikveh and Education Director The wind swirls today. Is it here to strip us of our unwanted bits, to smooth our testy edges, to burnish the gems in our souls? It bends the trees, branches, and bowed heads. Can it bend us to our own wills, to […]

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Healing, Shabbat and Holidays

Never Ready

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by Leeza Negelev, Associate Director of Education Each year, as Rosh Hashanah approaches I hear a lot of people say, “I don’t feel ready.” Or, “The chaggim (holidays) just came out of nowhere. Are they early this year?” I include myself in this Greek chorus. Amidst high holiday planning, schools start, traffic gets 90% worse, and […]

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Shabbat and Holidays

How You Can Help Me Help Others

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By Emilia Diamant  Mayyim Hayyim is a vital resource for those who, like me, need time and space for the radical act of self-care. That is why, in this season of renewal, I’m asking you to join me in supporting Mayyim Hayyim’s commitment to healing. As together we endeavor to work toward justice, it is easy […]

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Men, Shabbat and Holidays

Shavuot Reflections – Revisited

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As we prepare for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot, we wanted to re-share this post reflecting on the relationship between Mount Sinai, marriage, and mikveh. Join us May 19 at 8:00PM at the Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot for dramaturgy and discussion with Associate Director of Education, Leeza Negelev. Originally posted May 25, 2012 by Rabbi David […]

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