Sarah Waxman on The Mikvah Blessing -- "At The Well"

Show Notes

Sarah Waxman, founder of At The Well, an organization whose mission is to connect women around the world through transformative practices inspired by ancient Jewish Wisdom, joins Mark for today’s episode. Sarah brings the same resiliency, persistence, and ability to create belonging and community that she demonstrated as a two time National Lacrosse Goaltender of the Year to her current work with At The Well and discusses this noble work with Mark today.

They begin by exploring At The Well and its mission and reach throughout the world. They also discuss the Mikvah experience, how it helps people with modern challenges, the important role that water plays in Torah and in Sarah’s life, and the lessons Sarah has learned about mankind in her years since founding At The Well. Sarah’s vision of Judaism becoming a tool to help people heal and transform is truly coming to fruition through her work, and you will undoubtedly find her conversation with Mark today about this work is as inspiring as it is educational.

Episode Highlights:

At The Well and its mission and reach throughout the world The Mikvah experience, its spiritual effects, and how it helps address modern challenges The importance of water in Torah and in Sarah’s life and how she became involved with the Mikvah What takes place in a Mikvah Two things that Sarah has learned about mankind in years with At The Well

Quotes:

“The core of our work is promoting the ritual of Rosh Chodesh, which means new moon.”

“Each Well Circle becomes its own community that’s a part of a larger community, almost a society.”

“You go in hoping to transform, and the Mikvah is there to move you from one place to the next.”

“Water is something that can give life and that can give rebirth.”

“This is a new time, and it’s important that we bring our traditions forward, too.”

“A Mikvah is one of the ten things that declares a community Jewish.”

“For me in my life, you know someone like many women and girls in this country who’ve suffered tremendously from body dysphoria…this invitation to connect my body and my soul together through water, and through ritualizing that connection, gave me a lot of hope.”

“The best book club of all time is how I think of Torah.”

The traditional Mikvah Blessing

Baruch ata adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kid-shanu b’mitzvo-tav v’tzi-vanu al ha-tevilah. Blessed are You, Adonai, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with mitzvot and commanded us concerning immersion.

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

At The Well homepage: https://www.atthewellproject.com/

For More Information About African Mission Healthcare and to Donate visit: https://africanmissionhealthcare.org/donation/gerson-ubs-matching/