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Heres is where I document my learning and training as a Mikveh Guide.

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What are some things that make a community mikveh the same as or different from other mikva'ot?

I appreciate this question. When I first read the 2006 article that mentioned that Mayim Hayim had a conservative rabbi as their halakhic authority, I might have said that - but in the 2012 article, it appears they have moved to the 'frummest common denominator' style and now have an orthodox rabbi who oversees it. Obviously not all of it; just the part that makes sure the infrastructure is kosher.

What are some ways that you can help ensure a safe, respectful environment for mikveh visitors?

Great examples of ritual intake and supporting the visitor who is immersing.

How do these concepts and ideas resonate or diverge from your own experience with mikveh?

Most of my experience officiating a mikveh ritual for another person is in a lake or river - as well as many communal rituals.

Here are some of my thoughts after reading the four articles:

Total Immersion (Schabb, 2006)

Role of ‘legitimacy’ and ‘comfort’ in terms of halakhic requirements

Example of the woman who is coming to MH for menopause but keeps going to the mikvah under orthodox supervision for her monthly immersion

The New American Mikveh (Hoffman, 2012)

“make the mikveh a place for individual prayer” - i love this concept. As an outdoor educator, i am always thinking of ways to give people the same deep connections with the divine when they can’t make it to the woods/ocean.

“Mikveh is our model, but it’s a paradigm for helping people find meaning in a ritual they haven’t felt is theirs,” said Aliza Kline

the bigger task will be trying to elevate mikveh from a passing fad to a regular part of the non-Orthodox Jewish landscape. “Any 5-year-old in our Hebrew school can say Shabbat is grape juice, bread, and family,” Malka told me. “Our goal is for our 5-year olds to be able to tell you that mikveh is about water, blessings, and your body.”

—> In a way, i am taking this course in order to never go to Mayyim Hayim (also, I live in New York City - though I have been with my sister who lives in Massachusetts!). I want to hone my ritual weaving skills and network with folks who are mikveh guides, but want to mostly lead mikveh rituals in open water; and to use leverage these skills for other settings (sky, woods, soil) beyond just water. An indoor mikveh is both the launching point and the backup plan.

“a place where gay, lesbian, or transgender Jews could also take part in ancient physical rituals without worrying about conservative-minded mikveh attendants looking askance.”
-->  how can we leverage this into other spaces and rituals?

“We realized that we as progressive Jews have ownership over the halakhah, too,” --> YES

Reflections on a Special Conversion (Port White, 2011)

“There are three things that need to happen for a successful experience for the people I guide for and/or witness:

1. she has a relaxed and easeful experience as possible

2. she immerses completely

3. she comes up for air”

—> my thoughts: on the one hand, this is a sweet summary of a base level of mikveh objectives; at the same time, "immersing completely" isn't, in my opinion, as important as having it also be meaningful/spiritual. I get that in certain cases, such as conversion, a full immersion is deemed essential, but if someone is afraid of full immersion, I want to still give them a meaningful mikveh experience.

“It seemed as though I had had to exude more calmness than I felt”

—> how can we ground/center before and after leading rituals so we don’t leave depleted? So we can be present for those we are guiding? (compare to opening & closing the Soul Star/wiracocha)

1. Mikveh Immersion Therapy (Kissileff, 2018)

Sub title: - Finding Hebrew priestesses, healing, and deeper connections on a mikveh retreat.

Author writes: “To me, a mikveh is about finding ways to embody connection, through the actual bodily ritual of immersion, but also, in a larger sense, connection with other Jewish women, with my spouse, and with an ineffable feeling of holiness that can be accessed only immersively.”

—> how else can Judaism do this for more people who aren’t ready for mikveh?

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Lisa Berman Video - Holding Space
What is my role with mikveh guest? How to support them when they arrive for their immersion? Level of confidence - says "I'm in your hands" vs not needing much leading. Accommodating simple requests vs designing an entire ritual.

"Development of the Laws.” In Taking the Plunge: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to the Mikveh (Berkowitz, 2009).
I appreciated this article and the perspective of the authors - especially that it is clear, direct, but non-orthodox. Even the fact that they use Eytz Chayim for translations is a breath of fresh air.
When I first began to learn about mikvah around 2010, it was basically all from a women's yeshiva website and one podcast from Ethan Tucker. While the majority of the content of this article was not new to me, the framing and style of it was exactly what I would have wanted when I first learned these texts.
Most of these texts were review (meaning, I've read/studied them before).
A thought - as a Jewish educator, who plans to teach with many of these primary texts, it would be ideal to also have a Sefaria page or even a google doc that has all the texts in one long document/index.

Text Study: Water in Creation

This piece reminded me about something Haviva Ner-David says to her mikveh guests - about every time you go to a mikveh you're touching the waters of creation. I have found that some of the mikveh guides at ImmerseNYC are so focused on the ritual (and halakhic) components that they sometimes forget to align with the nature spirituality aspects of immersing. I am curious how to support urban mikvah guides to connect into water as a way to connect to the earth.

Rio Grande - Snow River
I recently visited New Mexico and walked along the Rio Grande. I was especially inspired because I understand that the water from this river (which flows through a desert) is from the Colorado mountains.

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Step 3, Seven Steps Digital Journal Text Study: Tevilah, Tumah, and Taharah

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Step 3, Seven Steps Digital Journal Text Study: Tevilah, Tumah, and Taharah

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Regarding "Requirements for Mikveh Construction" (first page of lesson)

- there is something really special about mikveh guides (especially those of us not socialized as male) understanding how the pipes in the walls and floors work, especially in relation to rain catchment and modern plumbing

M’korot: Sources, Part 2
מַעְיָן וּבוֹר - clearly these aren't the same thing - and most people don't have a clue what even the difference between a spring/well/cistern - etc.

מַעְיָן - Talmud says this is a category that refers to 'natural body of water' - exists on its own; we don't need to dig it out - has moving water
וּבוֹר - hole in the ground (pit) - human beings can dig holes and this can serve as a human made mikveh - water sits in the well; doesn't rush and flow - not a torrent of water like a river or lake or ocean
mikveh - the waters have to gather (like in Bereishit)

*It would be cool if on this page, and other places with references to primary sources - if they linked to Sefaria in case the student wanted to quickly see what comes before/after the verse*

Leeza Negelev video - "Requirements for Mikveh Construction" - is really well done! She explains it so well and makes it easy to follow and learn from her.

On the topic of טָהוֹר:
"Maimo said - this is not dirt - it is a spiritual substance"
Leeza Negelev video - she says "tahor is not dirt" but what i think she means is - "tahor doesn't mean cleaning off dirt"

"Mikveh Construction Requirements" (second page of lesson)

Legal design of Mayim Hayim's Mikveh

compared to:
- natural bodies of water
- pit in a cave

issues:
-air temp
-water temp
-keeping water clean
Rain water collection -

הַשָּׁקָה - "cause to kiss"
בּוֹר הַטְבִילָה -
mayim hayim vs mayim shauvim

--> I would like to see a worksheet with the same definitions she gives in the video; maybe optional for us to look at?

Text Study : Tevilah, Tumah, and Taharah

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Physical preparations for tevilah
("חֲצִיצָה" and "חציצות")
Barriers to Immersion Chatzitzot.pdf - https://www.yoatzot.org/mikveh/537/

--> I keep thinking about how Rabbi (then rabbinical student) Sara Luria was quoted (in the The New American Mikveh (Hoffman, 2012) article) saying "I want a mikveh where my congregants can go with nailpolish" - I wonder what the modern progressive Jew version of "Chatzitzot" would be?

Supporting guests
The only halachic requirement for the witness to an immersion is to ensure that the person has immersed under water fully, with no hair floating up to the top. Still if a person prefers not to have a witness to the immersion, or to bring their own witness, it is up to them to make this determination. The only exception is in the case of conversion, when the sponsoring rabbi makes the decision.

What stands out to you about the language used in these immersion ceremonies? Why is it important to not assume which ceremony might fit someone's needs?

How might you offer ceremonies to guests?

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Biblical and Rabbinic Niddah, Readings

Rabbinic Sources (Berkowitz, 2009)- "Taking the Plunge"

I am loving the mishna about the three women sleeping together - and how Rabbi Akiva strives to be lenient.

Date Night (Baine)
This section is why we need this training: "Then, on the practical side, there were the “mikveh ladies.” One made me dunk countless times because of my rather long hair, which, though I’m sure it was in the water (since no other attendant seemed to have this hang-up), made her anxious. Another repeatedly wished me good luck after I emerged each month. I’m not sure if that was about the presumed intimacy to follow or about that fact that I don’t have children as of yet, though my impression was that it was the former. Boundaries, people!"

Detailed Explanation of Niddah, or "Family Purity" Laws (Bob) - My Jewish Learning

As you read, consider these 4 C's:

Concepts - What key concepts or ideas resonate the most for you personally and/or as you consider your role as a mikveh guide?

Challenges - What ideas or key concepts are challenging your thinking about niddah and your understanding of your role as a mikveh guide?
Connections - What connections are you making between the readings, your own experiences, and your understanding of ritual immersion in a mikveh? How do these connections inform your conception of your role as a mikveh guide?

Changes - What changes in attitude, thinking, or action might these readings be leading you towards as part of your journey of becoming a mikveh guide?

I used to think...

Now I think...

I'm beginning to see my role as a mikveh guide includes...

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Weddings

My question: Though I've had a few experiences with this, I'm curious about best practices for making a pre-wedding mikveh special in the case of a bride who already has a niddah practice.

Good summary of these details:

The rules for a pre-wedding immersion are the same as those for individuals observing niddah. Traditionally, one goes to the mikveh within four days of the wedding, and following seven "clean" days after one's period. A range of practice exists, however, and you will encounter those who immerse in varying lengths of time from the wedding itself. If someone asks when they should schedule a mikveh appointment, you may suggest that it be scheduled before any hair, makeup, or nail appointments. One may immerse after a henna ceremony.

Conversions

babies - water on their face?

Notes from Template
Bridge, Listening, Tradition, Keeping the visitor's perspective in mind, not mine, Welcoming, Catching as needed, Supporting New Experiences

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How are the ideas and information presented this week connected to what you already knew about being a Mikveh Guide?*

What new ideas did you get that extended or broadened your thinking about the role of a Mikveh Guide?*

What challenges have come up in your mind from the ideas and information presented?*