The afternoon before Rosh Hashanah began, something wonderful happened at Mayyim Hayyim. Student prayer leaders from Brandeis University Masorti (Conservative/Traditional-Egalitarian) minyan came to immerse in the mikveh. They were the last people to immerse in 5785— and they filled me with hope.
Two decades ago, it would have seemed unthinkable that college students of all genders, backgrounds, and Jewish denominations would prepare for the High Holidays with a mikveh immersion. But this year, each of these students showed up to say “Hineini” — “Here I am” preparing to lead my fellow Jewish students in prayer.
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They wrote in our guestbook:
Thank you for allowing us to immerse before leading on Rosh Hashanah this year! Our tefilot are strengthened by it. Mayyim Hayyim is an inclusive community resource. The experience and collection of Kavanot is unique and the respect of every person tradition and past is as well. Thank you for making our tradition something that lives and flows. Shanah Tovah.
These students remind us why Mayyim Hayyim matters now more than ever. Mikveh is not only an opportunity for renewal; it is a source of spiritual connection — to ourselves, our community, and our future.