Healing, Shabbat and Holidays

Birthday Cake

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by Leeza Negelev, Associate Director of Education Last August, my family and I broke our Aunt Ria out of the nursing home to celebrate her 90th birthday. We took her to a nearby park, where we set out a feast of Russian food and regaled her with songs and stories. When it came time to […]

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Why I Don't Call Myself a Survivor

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Welcome to Our October Blog Series, From Rachel Hillman, Guest Editor October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month where the media highlights breast cancer, research for treatment and, one day, a cure. During October, many women and men share their stories about how breast cancer impacted them or their family. Last year, after being diagnosed with breast cancer […]

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Separation

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Welcome to Our October Blog Series, From Rachel Hillman, Guest Editor October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month where the media highlights breast cancer, research for treatment and, one day, a cure. During October, many women and men share their stories about how breast cancer impacted them or their family. Last year, after being diagnosed with breast cancer […]

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What on Earth Are They Going to Do?

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by Ilana Snapstailer “What on earth are they going to do for two hours at a mikveh?!” asked a parent. The truth is, I was not entirely sure, but upon many recommendations, I scheduled a visit to Mayyim Hayyim with my girls. I am not yet a mother.  “My girls” refers to the group of […]

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The Weather Outside

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by DeDe Jacobs-Komisar, Development Manager Living in the Boston area, it’s hard to think about anything these days besides snow. It’s hard to believe that just twenty days ago it had only snowed five inches the entire season; now we’re buried in a collective snowfall of more than six feet that has wreaked havoc on all […]

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Not the Only One

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Editor’s note:  The writer of this post wishes to remain anonymous I’m afraid of water, and I know I’m not the only one. Years of swimming lessons did nothing for me — after all, if you won’t put your face in the water or take your feet off the ground, you’re not going to get […]

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An Immersion in Friendship: Preparation for the High Holy Days

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by Rabbinic Pastor Matia Angelou and Cantor Louise Treitman Over eighteen years ago, we wanted to do something special together to prepare for the High Holy Days. We decided that the tradition of immersing in the mikveh could help us as we each prepared to lead services at our respective congregations. We had done musical […]

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The Joy On the Other Side of The Door

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by Rabbi Sandi Intraub, Mikveh Guide   Zeh Hayom Asah Adonai Negilah v’nismichah bo, “This is the day that God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). It was indeed a moment of rejoicing when Sam emerged, glowing, after having immersed in the mikveh.  She was now officially Jewish, though […]

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Our Newest Jews…

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By Mayyim Hayyim Staff To date, nearly 2000 people have chosen Judaism at Mayyim Hayyim!  April, May and June are particularly busy months for “brand new Jews”.  Ever wonder what goes through people’s minds as they finalize their conversion or affirmation process at Mayyim Hayyim?  Here are some quotes from our guest book… Thank you […]

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A Shabbat for my Marriage

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Editor’s Note: The author of this article prefers to remain anonymous. I never imagined that I would observe regular mikveh practice.  I didn’t grow up Orthodox, nor do I identify as such now.  I didn’t have female role models in my life who were using the mikveh, no one encouraged me to take on the […]

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A Pregnant Pause

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by Elisha Gechter I’ve fallen prey to a Facebook trend. Each month I stick a big number to my daughter’s onesie and snap a picture to post online. This month number nine will come out of the package, which has me recalling the milestone we marked in my 9th month of pregnancy at Mayyim Hayyim. As […]

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