What Makes a Great Mikveh Guide?
Successful Mikveh Guides are able to:
- Display compassion and empathy
- Adapt to a variety of situations in real time
- Maintain a strong sense of boundaries
- Work with a wide diversity of people
- Multi-task while maintaining a calm presence
- Work independently
- Use technology (internet and phone)
Volunteer Commitment
Volunteer hours are flexible and include weekday, weeknight, and weekend hours. If accepted, applicants are expected to commit to volunteering a minimum of 4-6 hours a month. In addition, women are asked to commit to volunteering one Saturday night per year.
Mayyim Hayyim takes seriously the support and supervision of its volunteers. There are regular opportunities for communication and feedback. Mikveh Guides are expected to participate in ongoing education sessions following the training (usually 2-3 per year).
Selection Process
Applicants complete the online application form, shadow an experienced Mikveh Guide, and participate in a small group interview of 3-5 candidates. Sometimes a one-on-one follow-up interview is part of the process. No prior mikveh experience is required. Applicants are expected to commit to attending the 7-session training program.
Training
Those who are accepted take an intensive course, “Seven Steps,” taught by diverse and talented faculty from the greater Boston Jewish community as well as Mayyim Hayyim staff and Mikveh Guides. The curriculum includes:
- Biblical and Talmudic sources for mikveh
- Laws and practice of traditional mikveh use
- Non-traditional mikveh uses, e.g. healing, celebrations, life transitions
- Welcoming guests and witnessing immersions with sensitivity
Mayyim Hayyim is not currently accepting applications for Mikveh Guides. Stay tuned for information about our next cohort.