PTSD is my Disability
Photo by Leora Pinto Post-trauma is a psychiatric issue that stems from an external event in a person’s [...]
I Wanted to Die Last Night: Endometriosis
Photo by Daniel Garcia Endometriosis is a condition in which the layer of tissue that normally covers the [...]
Jewish Women and Self-Care
International Women’s Day is a good day to consider the pressure many women feel to keep juggling all of these roles, sometimes at the cost of their own well-being.
Why Isn’t He Aroused? Issues in Male Sexual Functioning – Part 2
This is the fun part! The part where curiosity, exploration and playfulness are key. Feeling comfortable exploring our own sexuality and our ‘couple sexuality’ is not always easy. It may be a bit awkward at first as many people have been brought up with the notion that talking about sex and sexuality is immodest or not “tzanua”. Open communication is essential in all areas of our relationships--refraining from such open conversation in many circumstances can lead to great marital discord. The results of a couple exploring and discovering on their own what helps or impedes arousal are tremendous.
The ‘Disabled’ Mikveh Attendant
by: nick-van-den-berg To further educate mikveh attendants and the larger community about the challenges of disabled women at [...]
A Place for Me to be Reborn
It didn’t matter that it was hard or that my husband wouldn’t be awake or care at all. It didn’t matter that the past few years had been so hard I felt a massive wall between me and God……. because at that moment, he cracked the wall and was allowing me in. I got ready for the mikveh, b’simcha. Wanting to reconnect. Wanting to cleanse. Wanting to get rid of the impurities in my life and be born anew, ready to face the world in a clear and true way with Hashem and my husband beside me.
Enough from Within
How we conceptualize and judge ourselves often colors the way we believe that others are perceiving us. Self-consciousness and body image struggles are common for women, and they can be exacerbated through inevitable changes that happen through the lifespan. Weight gain, aging, acne, hormone changes, illness- these all bring a heightened attention to one’s body and can bring up a range of thoughts and feelings.
Immersion during the 9th Month of Pregnancy: A Growing Custom
Dr. Ilana Chertok recently articulated an active goal of The Eden Center. “In addition to Halakha (Jewish law) and Mesoret [...]
The Invisible Connection
מורות ליוגה נשית על פי מירה ארצי פדן” Women who are fortunate enough to receive their period naturally [...]
Near Sighted at the Mikveh
It’s the little things that sometimes jump out to make me realize that I don’t see quite as well as others. A few times I have asked the mikveh lady why they don’t have the bracha printed on the wall, and laughed when she said, “it’s right there on the wall.” I know that etched glass and silver with white are “in,” but in all honesty, I can’t see them. And while I laugh, printing the words a contrasting color would make it so much easier for me, and I’m sure many others. The less I need to ask for help, for me the better.
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.
The Lump at the Lake
There are debates as to whether women should check for breast cancer when they are preparing for the mikveh. My story is one of those that proves to me how consciously feeling/checking over one’s breasts during “iyun” can save lives. Might I have found it without iyun -- yes, but it’s likely that it would have been months later and more dangerous. While I could have found another way to routinely check my breasts, it’s unlikely that I would have. Though I will never immerse in that lake without negative flashbacks, I bless my dark night at the lake and thank God that I was able to inspect my body to keep it healthy.
Overcoming Your Fear of Water
As a swimming teacher, for over 45 years, I specialize in teaching people of all ages to swim, especially those [...]
Invest for Success
Tu B’Av, the 15th day of Av, is often referred to as the Jewish Day of Love. The Mishnah describes [...]
Yoga Nashit- Embracing Your Changing Self
מכנס יוגה נשית של מירה ארצי-פדן 2017 I am like many working women in Israel – I have [...]
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.
Three Misconceptions of Pelvic Pain
May has been declared Pelvic Pain Awareness Month. So, let’s get more aware! 1) "You just need to [...]
Leaving Behind the Murky Waters
This blog was first published as a Times of Israel blog: On the 21st of Nisan, 3,300 years ago, the [...]