MIKVAH ATLAS:
A Global Journey of Water, Ritual & Heritage
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An ever-growing atlas of a Jewish femme body
Engaging in the ancient Jewish ritual of Mikvah immersion In bodies of water around the world. ~~~~~~~~~~ Sometimes she immerses in nature: seas, oceans, rivers, springs Sometimes she immerses in Jewish sites of worship, heritage and community When she immerses, she channels her ancestors; Connecting with her foremothers She is but a link in an endless chain of Jewish women - Beyond time, beyond place, floating. ~~~~~~~~~~ The water never stands still. It is ever-moving, ever-flowing, ever-changing. ...מים זורמים... מים זוחלים... מים חיים |
Natural Immersion: Yardinon Stream, Kibbutz Shamir (founded by my grandparents), Israel (January 2025)
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Mikvah dating back to the 17th century, Etz Chayim Synagogue, Chania, Crete, Greece (June 2022)
Ein Handek Spring, Jerusalem Mountains (July 2015)
This Mikvah Project started out accidentally.
By chance, really. Maybe it was Beshert.
In 2021, a 2-bedroom flat went on sale in my city - and there was something unique about it:
It hosted an ancient Jewish site - a ritual bath dating back to the 12th century.
I was thrilled to learn that such an old place has survived for so many centuries; at the same time, I was shaken by the thought of it being used as someone's apartment, a private home used mundanely rather than honoured and protected as a holy heritage site for the Jewish community.
By chance, really. Maybe it was Beshert.
In 2021, a 2-bedroom flat went on sale in my city - and there was something unique about it:
It hosted an ancient Jewish site - a ritual bath dating back to the 12th century.
I was thrilled to learn that such an old place has survived for so many centuries; at the same time, I was shaken by the thought of it being used as someone's apartment, a private home used mundanely rather than honoured and protected as a holy heritage site for the Jewish community.
The above is the real-estate agent's viewing video tour used to sell this remarkable place, complete with cheesy elevator music...
Only I added a voiceover of myself reading the detailed instructions for a ritual immersion in the mikvah.
Only I added a voiceover of myself reading the detailed instructions for a ritual immersion in the mikvah.
This weird coincidence sparked my curiousity, and made me wonder about historic Mikvahs around the world... How many ancient Mikvahs are still in use? How many were destroyed and then restored? How many are still buried?
And what about natural bodies of water - streams, lakes, springs... Places where Jews performed the Mikvah ritual under cover of the sky? How many of those exist around the world?
And what about natural bodies of water - streams, lakes, springs... Places where Jews performed the Mikvah ritual under cover of the sky? How many of those exist around the world?
Mikvah dating back to 1654. The Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Barbados (December 2021)
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Mikvah dating back to 1654. The Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Barbados (December 2021)
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I am a passionate and avid traveller, and have visited over 60 countries around the world.
Whenever I travel, I try to find information about the local Jewish history or visit in local Jewish sites like synagogues, museums and cemeteries. I listen, read, learn, experience...
But I am not a religious Jew. I am a cultural Jew, a spiritual Jew, a Hippie-Witchy-Bohemian Jew!
I feel much more at home naked in water, connected with nature and Shekhina, than I do praying in shul.
When I immerse, body touching water touching body; floating, without barriers, reciting the Mikvah blessing...
I am not there alone. I am surrounded not only by water, but by my ancestors before me.
I am held aloft by my foremothers Sarah, Rachel, Leah and Rivkah.
I am embraced by the prophetesses Miriam and Deborah.
I wear the crown of Queen Esther and feel the love of Ruth for Naomi.
Emboldened by the gevurah of Judith and Shlomit.
Strengthened by my own ancestral mothers: my grandmother Shoshana z"l and my great-grandmothers Miriam, Ida, Ester and Dvora-Leah z"l.
Whenever I travel, I try to find information about the local Jewish history or visit in local Jewish sites like synagogues, museums and cemeteries. I listen, read, learn, experience...
But I am not a religious Jew. I am a cultural Jew, a spiritual Jew, a Hippie-Witchy-Bohemian Jew!
I feel much more at home naked in water, connected with nature and Shekhina, than I do praying in shul.
When I immerse, body touching water touching body; floating, without barriers, reciting the Mikvah blessing...
I am not there alone. I am surrounded not only by water, but by my ancestors before me.
I am held aloft by my foremothers Sarah, Rachel, Leah and Rivkah.
I am embraced by the prophetesses Miriam and Deborah.
I wear the crown of Queen Esther and feel the love of Ruth for Naomi.
Emboldened by the gevurah of Judith and Shlomit.
Strengthened by my own ancestral mothers: my grandmother Shoshana z"l and my great-grandmothers Miriam, Ida, Ester and Dvora-Leah z"l.
Woodstock, NY (May 2015)
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Stockholm, Sweden (Sept. 2021)
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I went through my archives to search for photos I've taken of myself over the years immersing in water.
As I gathered these photos for a yet-undertermined-Mikvah-project, I noticed that they were tracking my body through the years:
My shape, which has changed over the years and over the course of physical challenges.
My hair, which has been long and short and every length in between.
Its colour, which I like to change frequently and playfully.
The curve of my waist.
The roundness of my buttocks.
The waves of my back rolls.
Stretch marks. Moles. Scars. Dimples. Hollows.
My body, I realised, is like water.
Ever-changing.
It has experienced challenges, so it had to change course.
But it kept on flowing.
As I gathered these photos for a yet-undertermined-Mikvah-project, I noticed that they were tracking my body through the years:
My shape, which has changed over the years and over the course of physical challenges.
My hair, which has been long and short and every length in between.
Its colour, which I like to change frequently and playfully.
The curve of my waist.
The roundness of my buttocks.
The waves of my back rolls.
Stretch marks. Moles. Scars. Dimples. Hollows.
My body, I realised, is like water.
Ever-changing.
It has experienced challenges, so it had to change course.
But it kept on flowing.
Secret Beach, Bermuda (August 2010)
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New Jersey, USA (May 2015)
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I'm still uncertain what would be the final shape of this Mikvah immersion atlas project.
Maybe a live performance. Maybe a reimagined ritual. Maybe a guidebook to Mikvahs. Maybe a photography coffee table book.
Maybe maybe maybe maybe... Who knows.
Until the Shekhina reveals this to me, I will keep on travelling and immersing.
Seeking Jewish stories wherever I go.
I hope you stick around for the journey.
Maybe a live performance. Maybe a reimagined ritual. Maybe a guidebook to Mikvahs. Maybe a photography coffee table book.
Maybe maybe maybe maybe... Who knows.
Until the Shekhina reveals this to me, I will keep on travelling and immersing.
Seeking Jewish stories wherever I go.
I hope you stick around for the journey.
Celtic Sea, Cornwall, UK (August 2022)
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Secret Beach, Bermuda (August 2010)
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“Water does not resist. Water flows.
When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does." ― Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad |
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