Mikveh gets freshened up

Ritual bath gets much-needed facelift

By Jonathan Rubin

jrubin@jfri.org

PROVIDENCE — After years of planning and fundraising, a dedicated group of Providence women have succeeded in making sure that one of Judaism’s oldest rituals will be pleasant and meaningful.

At the end of May, the Mikveh Ladies Association of Rhode Island held an open house to showcase the overhaul given to the Rhode Island Community Mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath. Used primarily for important and private moments — monthly immersions for observant Jewish women and for conversions, the mikveh (pronounced mick-vah) is located behind the Jewish Community Center in Providence.  Men may use the mikveh before High Holidays or on other occasions if they wish.  A separate compartment of the mikveh is also used to kasher dishes. 

Brightening up the whole area are the new tile floors in the waiting room and the refinished pool walls.  A new wheelchair-accessible changing room has been added.

This work is really just “phase one” of a number of projects being considered, funds permitting. The mikveh ladies are considering other upgrades, including adding a third bathroom that is wheelchair accessible, and rebuilding some floors.

“This is like night and day<” said Valerie Shore, a renovations co-chair and one of the “pool chemists” who maintains the water’s cleanliness.

The project’s two main contributors were Dr. Morris Keller, who donated to the mikveh in memory of his wife, Rebecca, an ardent educator on the topic of mikveh, and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, which funded  the new ventilation system and a hot water heater.  The upgrade has been topped off with new toiletries and fluffy robes.

Elianna bids farewell

In addition to the mikveh’s new look, another major milestone occurred last month; Elianna Bresler, the literal one-woman show who ran and maintained the tangle of cisterns, pipes, ducts, cleansers and fixtures that compose the institution, announced her retirement. For a few years, she worked with Deborah Hirschon, but for the recent past the word “mikveh” has been synonymous with Elianna. However, after the construction was finished, she felt it was time to step down.

“A mikveh is an awesome place where human needs are transformed into sacred acts,” Bresler said in a good-bye letter to the community. “It was an honor to be trusted with its care.”

In testimony to her tremendous efforts, she is being replaced not by one person, but a committee of more than 15. The newly formed executive committee is headed by Marcie Ingber and Sigal Moise, and the mikveh is planning educational programs for the greater community.

The JCC mikveh is a community mikveh, and may be used by men and women of any religious denomination. Women’s appointments are scheduled for evenings only.

Fees vary depending on use from $5 to $120, but every family is asked to contribute at least $180 annually for maintenance. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, their new number is 621-9119.

For a free tour, an appointment or information about mikveh, their new number is 621-9119

To learn more about kashering (or “toiveling”) dishes or to make an appointment, please call Deborah Hirschon at 421-6254.