By Eliot Mohrmann (they/them), Mikveh Manager
Happy Pride Month! While it has become cliche to say that “every month is Pride Month” when discussing the need for safe and inclusive spaces for queer folks like myself, I have found the sentiment to be absolutely true at Mayyim Hayyim. I am approaching my one year anniversary as Mikveh Manager, and as a nonbinary person, I’ve been reflecting on what it means for this space to be an inclusive mikveh for all Jews.
As an employee, it starts when I see the “Trans Jews Belong Here” sign, courtesy of Keshet, hanging prominently in Mayyim Hayyim’s entryway. It continues with coworkers, volunteers, and guests using my pronouns casually and correctly. Whenever I tell a rabbi we can accommodate a nonbinary conversion or affirmation candidate on short notice—thanks to my full-time role here—hearing their surprised relief brings me joy. The immersions themselves are always special, and it is an honor to be a witness, literally and spiritually, to my fellow Jewish nonbinary and trans community.
When I joined the staff last July, a friend of mine who had recently immersed reached out to me: could we update our parenthood ceremonies to include gender-neutral language? As a nonbinary individual, my friend had found it challenging that Mayyim Hayyim’s parenthood ceremonies primarily focused on motherhood.
I was heartened to discover that my colleagues had already prioritized expanding our gender-inclusive ritual options. I offered to spearhead the project, and I am excited to announce that Mayyim Hayyim now offers gender-expansive options for several lifecycle ceremonies, including marriage and parenthood. These are permanent additions to our repertoire and are available for use on-site. You can see the full list of the ceremonies we have to offer by clicking the button below.
Full List of Immersion Ceremonies
The Jewish concept of tikkun olam, repairing the world, requires action. Saying that we’re an inclusive mikveh means little, if we don’t also do the work to make it so. By its very nature, mikveh is a place for transformation, repair and renewal. And, I am grateful to work toward ensuring that Mayyim Hayyim evolves as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ Jews and all who enter.