Mikvah in Living Waters - A New KSS Tradition

This year, under the guidance of Rabbi Lina, we'll be holding a Mikvah in the healing waters of the Long Island Sound. This is a new tradition for Kehillath Shalom Synagogue, one which will allow us to start the new year off fresh.

Often it can feel like we're living a verse from Yael Naim's song New Soul:

"I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
But since I came here, felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake."

 A Mikvah, which was traditionally a ritual bath for getting over impurity, has now been expanded and has evolved as a ritual for transitional times,such as these. Inspired in part byMayyim Hayyim (The Living Waters Community Mikvah) Rabbi Lina has created a ritual for us to take part in a Mikvah in nature.

We will immerse ourselves, and upon finishing we will all be fresh souls, having left behind the past and ready to move forward into a joyous and precious new year.

---

Here are the details:

On Sunday, September 9th at 9am we'll meet at the beach
(please email us for the beach location: deborahglobus_AT_hotmail.com)

All are welcome - women and men, families, singles, members, non-members, friends, the curious and open-minded and open-hearted; anyone longing to begin the new year washed clean!

Come with the proper beach gear: your swimsuit* and a towel. Beach shoes are recommended because it's a rocky beach. 

Rabbi will explain why we're there. We'll sing some songs and recites some blessings. (you can practice beforehand if you feel called to. Links above and below)

Then, with our blessings in mind we'll head into the water! (Let's pray for good weather and warm "seas") Those that don't want to do a full immersion are welcome to dip toes and fingers.

*Note: It will be after Labor Day so the restrooms will be CLOSED. Please come with your suit already on!

Want to get a feel for what our  ritual might look a little like? Mayyim Hayyim generously provides sample ceremonies and you can read about their Rosh Hashanah Mikvah here.

This new year, with a new Rabbi, is an auspicious time for new traditions. Please join us - whether you're a member or a friend, someone new to Kehillath Shalom or an old and trusted companion of our community - as we take part in this transitional ritual for a more meaningful, spiritual start to the new year.