by Jordan Namerow
We all need places of refuge to grieve, heal, and renew our spirits. In a year of tremendous uncertainty and pain, Mayyim Hayyim has been that place of refuge for hundreds of people seeking the spiritual nourishment they need to thrive.
In 2024, people from Greater Boston and New York; from Israel and Argentina — and elsewhere around the world — came to Mayyim Hayyim for an inclusive and meaningful mikveh experience.
I want to share a few highlights from the past year that your generosity and partnership made possible:
Expanding Access to Mikveh Worldwide
- We hosted a group of Israeli rabbis and chaplains interested in learning about how mikveh can be an important source of healing for the work they are doing related to trauma-informed care.
- We worked with new and emerging mikva’ot across North America, strengthening the Open Mikveh Movement through our Rising Tide Network.
- Providing a Wellspring of Learning Opportunities.
- We hosted signature programs, including “Let Justice Well Up,” a Torah study series for Jewish women of color; “Sacred Bodies, Sacred Spaces,” to explore niddah in Jewish tradition; and “Beneath the Surface,” a gender-inclusive b-mitzvah program celebrating the transition to Jewish adulthood.
Celebrating Art, Music, and Heritage
- On April 4, we welcomed acclaimed musician Yoni Battat for an evening of Mizrahi songs and stories, celebrating Jewish diversity through music.
- Our “Women’s Voices, Women’s Wisdom” lunch-time learning series reached participants across the globe with engaging and creative teachings.
- Championing Inclusion and Belonging
- We launched a special cohort of our Mikveh Guide Training Program for trans and nonbinary Jews, collaborating with SVARA’s Trans Halakha Project, Keshet, and Eshel.
- We offered subsidized rates for programs to ensure financial accessibility and equity for all participants.
Amplifying the Open Mikveh Movement
- Mayyim Hayyim hosted a Global Live Stream event for the Rising Tide Gathering on June 6, celebrating the Open Mikveh Movement and uniting communities worldwide.
- We were featured in The New York Times about the creation of a new mikveh in Waterville, Maine — a testament to our leadership in the growing Open Mikveh Movement.
These accomplishments reflect the unique ways that community, tradition, and innovation come together at Mayyim Hayyim.
As we look ahead to 2025, Mayyim Hayyim will continue to offer new opportunities for renewal, healing, and belonging for all who are turning to mikveh at important moments in their lives.
In a world of emotional whiplash, mikveh is an invitation to simply be in the moment and feel it all: the grief and joy; the fear and hope. You can count on Mayyim Hayyim to be that place of refuge no matter what the future holds.
Thank you for giving generously and for being part of this journey.