The upcoming summer, and the traveling that comes with the season, has me thinking of the many times my mikveh immersion has fallen out on nights that found me far from home and the comfort of my beloved local mikveh. Here are some of the things I’ve learned through needing to immerse when away from home. Feel free to add your tips in the comment session!

  • Get in touch. Call/email or WhatsApp the mikveh or head balanit, check if you need to make an appointment or can just show up and confirm what time the mikveh is open.
  • Be prepared. Ask what supplies and equipment the mikveh provides. If there are things missing, plan to bring them with you on your trip or to buy at your destination. Also, if there are special tools or lotions/cosmetics you use, bring them with you, even if the attendant tells you they provide everything at the mikveh. Better safe than sorry.
  • Likewise, try to ascertain if the mikveh is nice/renovated so that you will feel comfortable preparing there, or whether you are better off preparing in your hotel room/guesthouse. Some small or outlying communities have surprisingly beautiful mikvaot with generous rooms and wonderful state-of-the art accommodations that are a shame to miss. By the same token, others are run down and may not make you feel as special as you deserve. It’s worth knowing what to expect so that you can plan accordingly.
  • Make sure you know how much it costs to just immerse and to fully prepare. You don’t want to be caught off-guard on the night and feel embarrassed as you walk out.
  • If possible, try to walk by the mikveh early on in your visit/trip so you know where it is and don’t get lost/can arrive on time when it’s time for you to dunk.
  • Plan your day accordingly. This is true even when you’re going to your local mikveh, but all the more so when you’re traveling.
  • If traveling outside your home country, ask someone local/use Google to write down or learn important keywords in the native language in case the attendant doesn’t speak your language.
  • Once there- make sure you understand what the different bottles and supplies are before getting started, especially if they are labeled in an unfamiliar language. This will save you from accidentally washing your hair with body lotion for example.
  • Feel free to make requests of the balanit and to stand your ground if something is important to you, or makes you feel uncomfortable. It’s best to discuss things ahead of time if they’re very important to you, such as asking the balanit to turn around while you’re getting in and out of the water.
  • Most importantly- don’t assume things will be the same as they are back home. Every place does things a bit differently. God willing the result will be the same and you will leave each mikveh experience feeling supported, embraced and uplifted.