What is a "non-Orthodox" mikveh? Is that like non-Orthodox tefillin? From a current JTA article:
The number of non-Orthodox Jewish ritual baths in North America is growing. Most of the 20 or so mikvahs are less than 5 years old, according to organizers of “Reclaiming Mikveh,” a three-day conference of clergy and educators meeting this week in Newton, Mass.
Almost all are affiliated with Reform and Conservative congregations, which are often blocked from using Orthodox-owned mikvahs.
But which won't own up to being themselves the source of the blockage, even as they use phrases like "Reclaiming Mikveh."
The conference is sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism’s Northeast Council in partnership with 32 other local and national Jewish groups.
“Mikvah is back on the table for people to choose and learn that it belongs to them,” said Anita Diamant, the author of “The Red Tent” and a founder of Mayyim Hayyim, a 2-year-old non-affiliated, community mikvah in Newton.
"Back on the table"? What an image! I hope these are kosher mikvaos and that they are not being used for too much new-age goofiness. According to a current
article in the Philadelphia Jewish Voice:
Over 30 national partners, including ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal as well as the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements have come together to challenge the Jewish community to reinvent mikveh for contemporary Jews.
It doesn't sound good, but it might be good anyway. Hopefully some plain old mikveh-use is going to be happening. (Although I'm sure the "special evening performance of The Mikveh Monologues, a moving theatrical piece by Anita Diamant and Janet Buchwald with original music" is just swell.)
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