Mikvah
Mikvah
Rachel’s Well, Portland’s Community Mikvah (Havurah's Mikvah Liaison: Evan King)
Rachel's Well Community Mikvah (Photo Credit: Josh Partee)
What is a Mikvah?
A Mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath requiring "living waters" sourced from rain. Natural bodies of water are all kosher mikvahs. The ritual of immersion is rooted in centuries of tradition and is a way for Jews to experience an embodied spirituality that can connect us to God, our bodies, our ancestors and the water cycles of our planet.
What is the Mikvah used for?
A Mikvah is a Jewish sacred space designed to support Jewish ritual life and the personal transitions of individuals and families in the community. We welcome those visiting the Mikvah for traditional reasons like: women immersing monthly (niddah/taharat ha-mishpacha), getting married, making dishes kosher, conversion, and preparing spiritually for Shabbat and holidays.
Equally welcome and encouraged are creative reasons to immerse, such as to celebrate a major life transition or change in status. Examples of this type of visit are varied but include reaching a milestone birthday, acknowledging a diagnosis or recovery from illness, marking the end of a mourning period, becoming a bar or bat mitzvah, coming out, transitioning, or celebrating an anniversary.
Who can use the Mikvah?
Anyone who identifies as Jewish is welcome to experience Rachel's Well Community Mikvah. It is customary to give tzedakah (a contribution) when visiting a Mikvah. No one will be turned away for inability to make a donation.
Thu, September 28 2023
13 Tishrei 5784
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Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Todah Rabah, High Holidays Survey, Sukkot, and More
Todah Rabah!
Many thanks to the many, many people who made High Holidays happen at the Tiffany Center, our own building
Correction to Hineinu: Rosh Hashanah Family Service Start Time and RSVP Link
Correction
Our Rosh Hashanah Family Service Starts at 10:30 am
Our Rosh Hashanah Family Service—aimed e
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2023
Thursday, Sep 28th 4:00p to 6:00p
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2023
Thursday, Sep 28th 5:30p to 6:45p
Our Havurah Sukkah is a place of meditation, meals, song, and community. Get together with other Havurahniks to make it look fantastic and feel as special to be in as it is. RSVP to receive details as the date comes closer. -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023
Shabbat, Sep 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link, email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023
Shabbat, Sep 30th 3:00p to 5:15p
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Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023
Shabbat, Sep 30th 3:10p to 4:30p
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Monday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2023
Monday, Oct 2nd 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2023
Tuesday, Oct 3rd 7:30p to 8:45p
Jewish text study is similar to tuning a radio. Each type of text—TaNaKH (Bible), Rabbinic Literature (Midrash and Talmud), Medieval Commentary (Rashi, ibn Ezra, Nachmanides) and Mystical (Kabbalistic and Hasidic)—operates on a different frequency. Each seeks to clarify what we are hearing about the world, following a set of rules. Each reads the world’s signals. We will spend two weeks tuning into specific passages from the four genres. Hebrew is not necessary for this overview , although we will read some of the “greatest hits” together in the original. Transistor radios preferred to digital, because we are all subject to static. Led by Rabbi Joey Wolf. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 4 , 2023
Wednesday, Oct 4th 7:30p to 8:30p
Note the number of adults, teens, and kids attending when you sign up! -
Thursday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2023
Thursday, Oct 5th 5:30p to 7:30p
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2023
Thursday, Oct 5th 6:30p to 8:30p
More info to come. Contact: Karen Sherman.