: A Sacred Space of Purity and Community

During the Enlightenment and modernist movements in Europe, the role of traditional religious practices, including mikveh use, diminished, especially among secular and Reform communities. Many mikva’ot fell into disrepair or were lost during war and persecution—especially in Nazi-occupied Europe. But in the late 20th and 21st centuries, the mikveh has experienced a remarkable revival.

Organizations like Mayyim Hayyim in Boston and The Eden Center in Jerusalem have reimagined the mikveh as a place not only for halachic observance but for spiritual healing and personal growth. These new mikva’ot serve people seeking immersion for diverse reasons: recovery from illness or loss, marking a new year, celebrating milestones, or seeking spiritual clarity.

June 21, 2025 | 5:49 pm