This past Sunday 50 women gathered at the Chabad Center in Natick for a Mikvah Semi
nar which was sponsored by the Mei Menachem Western Well Community Mikvah. This event was not open to the public - it was specifically geared to mikvah attendants and those who teach about the mitzvah of Family Purity or Taharat Hamishpocho. Mikvahs from Central and Eastern MA as well as RI were represented by their staff including Daughters of Israel of Brookline, the Brighton Mikvah, the Sharon Mikvah, The Worcester Mikvah, some from the Providence Mikvah as well as, of course, our very own staff of Western Well Mikvah volunteers. Rebbitzens from many Chabad Centers who are activly involved in teaching about mikvah were there as well. We were honored to have as featured guest speaker Rabbi Yirmiyahu Katz of Brooklyn, NY, who runs a Kollel in Boro Park, NY, authored a scholarly book on Mikvahs which has endorsements from recognized Rabbis in NY and Israel, travels around the world to oversee the Halachic aspects of Mikvah construction projects, is a halachic authority and answers questions about Mikvah issues from people who call from all over.
The evening began with a buffett supper and then everyone went into the main Shul room where everything was arranged seminar style. Notebooks, pens and bottled water were waiting at the tables for each of the participants. Everyone sat mesmerized for the next few hours as Rabbi Katz provided inspiration, shared important insights on dealing with sensitive issues that one may come accross, clarified many aspects of the laws, and answered questions.
Some comments afterwards were -
"Rabbi Katz was an exceptional speaker. He spoke from the heart which related to my heart as a Shomeres (mikvah attendant). The praise he spoke of made me feel that my work as a shomeres is extremely valuable..."
"Thank you so much for arranging the mikvah seminar last night. It was just great!"
"I wanted to tell you that last night’s seminar was beautiful. The atmosphere was great and it was so nice to see so many woman from all over the Boston area participating."
"I enjoyed what I heard and gained a lot of insight and chizuk from Rabbi Katz." (Chizuk means empowerment and strength)
May we all go from strength to strength in our endeavors of bringing purity and holiness into the world.
Wishing you well from The Western Well,
Chanie
P.S. Special thanks to Dena Judah for a generous contribution towards the refreshments.
To see more photos of this event, please click here.
Thanks to Liorah Abrams for the photos.