The Mikveh Experience: Splashing Back

As a writer, it’s always an honor to hear from readers. After all, most of the things you publish and post you’re just throwing into the universe, hoping that somebody reads them and pays attention to them and that maybe they’ll remember a small piece of what you wrote for a few hours after they close the computer.

So it’s really awesome to receive a letter like this. In yesterday’s daily Jewniverse email, we told you about The Mikvah Project, a collection of stories and photographs of different women’s experiences dunking themselves into that spiritual pool.

Today we received this letter:

After reading The Jewish Dunk, I thought I would share my experience. I wrote a letter to our mikveh lady thanking her for the awesome experience.  Here is what I wrote to her.

Dear Sally,

I had the most awesome Jewish experience tonight.  I went to the mikveh. This road that I have traveled has been a blessing given to me by God. I believe I could hear “the still clear voice” of Lech Lecha whispered just to me.

Sally, I remember you said something to me recently about my life changing, Jewishly speaking.  I just know that I have transformed into the woman I am supposed to be at the young age of 60.  The mikvah only takes a little while, but the effects are everlasting.

With age comes experience and wisdom.

At the age of 24, I became a bride and that meant a trip to the mikvah.
Looking back, that’s what it was “a trip to the mikvah” to get dunked so that I could be married.

Now, as I am quickly approaching sixty, I knew I was ready to do this for me! I knew in my mind, heart, body and soul last night was the perfect time to pursue the Jewish tradition of going to the mikveh.  I believe I  now posses the qualities to understand the principles of mikveh. At that time, I know I just did it for my mom so I could have a traditional Jewish wedding.

Today, I did it for myself.

I just want to add that I am glad that you are a part of my Jewish journey.

Ahavah,
Susan

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Susan.

(And I just have to add that, if you haven’t signed up for Jewniverse, do it now! Tomorrow’s mail has one of the funniest and most touching films I’ve ever seen. And I want to talk about it RIGHT NOW, but I can’t tell anyone yet. Go. Sign up.)