I came to Mayyim Hayyim very nervous and not sure what to expect. What goes into being a Mikveh Guide? Will I be able to do it properly? What other kinds of tasks will my days be filled with? I knew about mikvehs and their uses, but I had not had much hands-on experience with one.

Over the course of my internship I helped out in many different areas. I handled social media posts, helped to teach an education program, and helped with archival work to prepare for the upcoming archives exhibit, Mikveh Reimagined: Reflections on a Ritual Revolution, opening on October 22nd. The most moving, powerful, and fun part of my internship experience at Mayyim Hayyim was serving as a Mikveh guide for conversions and various other momental times in people’s lives.

There is a lot to learn about how to be a good guide. Making sure that all the prep rooms are set up just right, giving tours, making sure an immersion is kosher when a witness is required, and more. While all of these aspects of guiding are crucial, I found that the hardest and most rewarding part of guiding was working with each guest. As a guide, I helped guests feel comfortable in the space and with the immersion process. I learned how to know when to greet guests with excitement and joy, and when to be more reserved. I learned how to interact with people of all different ages, backgrounds, and experiences in order to make their appointments a sacred space and time. It was special, being able to interact with so many people and share their special moments with them.

I think one of the most important things that my experience at Mayyim Hayyim taught me was that there is no single blueprint for being a “good guide.” I made mistakes, I stumbled over my words, I forgot guests’ names. Despite all the various imperfections in my time as a Mikveh Guide, I always watched guests walk out changed. Sometimes they appeared noticeably happier and sometimes they just looked like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. All the little things that I wished I could change or take back didn’t seem to matter to anyone but me. As a Mikveh Guide, and a human being I’m always going to be my own worst critic. But just because I find faults doesn’t mean that I’m taking away from someone’s experience. Being a good Mikveh Guide means being caring and supportive. It means smiling and being positive even when things are going wrong. As a guide, you understand that your guest is at Mayyim Hayyim to honor a transition in their life and being a good guide means honoring them and their needs.

As I reflect on my time spent at Mayyim Hayyim this summer, working with a team of amazing people, I know that I will miss it here. It will be hard to walk away from this experience and back to the world of homework and classes as I start my junior year of college, but I will hold newly acquired skills and memories of special moments with me after I say goodbye.

Hannah Rothenberg was an intern at Mayyim Hayyim for the summer of 2026. She will be graduating from Colby College in 2028 with majors in Jewish Studies and Religious Studies. Hannah also works for the synagogue in her college town of Waterville, Maine, which is a part of Mayyim Hayyim’s Rising Tide Open Waters Mikveh Network.