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Harchakot are Hard

‘The harchakot are hard’.This is true. However, complete the thought: : ‘The fact that this is hard means I deeply  love my spouse, and I am grateful for that awareness,’ or ‘I am going to use this opportunity to show love in new and creative ways, maybe in conversation or through a small act of love that only my spouse will understand,’ or ‘This separation is a way for me to care for myself, a Shabbat for my body that reminds me to practice self-care and that rejuvenates me to give with a full heart’?

The Sound of Water

Practical take-aways for mikveh attendants: 1-There's a lot of anxiety for a woman who can't hear all the things that happen around her. Make sure she knows that you're there with her and you'll be patient. 2- Make a thumbs up to let her know her immersion was complete.  Or wait to say “kosher” until she's completely out of the water and has turned around to face you to see your lips and hands.  Perhaps hold up a sign that says kasher.  Best if this worked out before she removes her hearing aides. 3- Have the bracha and the יהי רצון on the wall or printed on a laminated paper. Having to repeat after the balanit is difficult and disempowering. 4- When designing a mikveh, see if it's practical to put in a call button with a light so that the deaf person can know when she's being called to come out. 5- The deaf tovelet is/may be depending on you for the cues of how to proceed.  Make sure you're clear and direct her not only with words but also with signs/motioning/body language.  If you are speaking to her make sure she can see your lips.  Especially because she is usually equipped with hearing devices, she is not a pro at reading other cues so help her as best as you can.

Men are Not Always in the Mood

Men’s sex “drive” is often perceived as being perpetually activated…. But what about when it isn’t? MYTH BUSTER: Neither a [...]

To Touch the Darkness

The Eden Center is focusing its work this year on ‘Immersion in Inclusion’; educating and sensitizing mikveh attendants and the [...]

Riling Up Emotions

As a young girl learning about menstruation for the first time, my favorite book on the subject featured a double-page [...]

Invest for Success

Tu B’Av, the 15th day of Av, is often referred to as the Jewish Day of Love. The Mishnah describes [...]

Coming Back to the Mikveh

When my husband and I felt our family was complete I chose a birth control that would accommodate that decision. [...]

Red Cuticles Should be Red Flags

Even after 5 years of going to the mikveh, even though my husband would notice my bright red cuticles and say “this can’t be right”, though I my relearned the rules of mikveh preparation with an absolutely wonderful kallah teacher, I couldn’t shake my anxiety around the mikveh.

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