What is a mikvah?
The word literally means pool, or gathering of water, and appears in Genesis 1:10, when God gathers the waters on the third day: "And the gathering (mikvah) of the waters God called Seas. There is an entire tractate in the Talmud dealing wholly with the mikvah.

What is the basis of the mikvah in Jewish history?
Mikvah was used for ritual purification, not only for post-menstrual women, but for men with certain conditions and for priests in relation to the Temple rituals. Men have visited the mikvah for spiritual purification before the Sabbath and Yom Kippur. Going to the mikvah was a requirement for brides and converts to Judaism. Finally, it was the custom to wash new cooking utensils in the mikvah when purchased from a non-Jew to make them kosher for use. Like the ancient mikvaot, the CGCM contains living waters. Living water means running or moving water, and comes from a God-given source such as rain, snow, ice, spring water or the ocean. Because the mikvah is a symbol of spiritual cleansing, transformation and renewal, individuals come to the living waters at times of change in their lives or to commemorate a special occasion.

Is mikvah an important Jewish observance?
The rabbis said a community should build a mikvah even before building a synagogue or acquiring a Torah. Indeed, it was permissible to sell a Torah in order to build a mikveh.

How is the mikvah used today?
The mikvah is a positive way for people to focus on their bodies, gain respect, and concentrate on their own needs. Although there is a heavy emphasis in Judaism on the importance of community, coming to the mikvah is a very private time for reflection and spiritual cleansing. As CGCM develops new and creative reasons for mikvah use, we welcome all members of the Jewish community of all ages and life stages who desire the spiritual experience of immersion.

Here are some popular, evolving uses for today's Mikvah:

Why did mikvah fall from common use?
The mikvah was one of the first areas of traditional observance to be abandoned by immigrants to America, even among those who continued to observe the laws of Shabbat and kashrut. There are several theories for why this happened: facilities fell into disrepair and were thought to be unclean, there were negative associations and memories of mikveh from the "old country," discomfort with what appeared to be the stigmatizing of women, a lack of Jewish understanding of the mitzvah, liberal Judaism's abandonment of the ritual.

Why would someone go to a mikvah in our time, when private baths are in every home?
Ritual purification is not about cleanliness -- in fact, one must be clean before entering a mikvah. Immersion signifies a change in status and belongs to the category of commandments known as chukim (decrees of God), where observance is considered an act of pure faith. Immersion also requires a ritual intention. It is not the water but the intentional act of immersion that transforms or purifies. Finally, the maintenance of a mikvah is a communal, not an individual, responsibility.

Is CGCM a "kosher" mikvah? What makes a mikvah "kosher?"
”Kosher” means fit or proper. Construction of the area’s first true community mikvah was supervised and certified by Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman, of the Committee on Law and Standards. The CGCM is a kosher mikvah, andmeets all Halachic standards and the structure, water levels, content and collection are inspected on a regular basis. The certificate hangs on the wall of the mikvah.

Is the mikvah clean?
CGCM is kept scrupulously clean. The water is filtered through a special system that heats and purifies the water twice each day: once in the late afternoon for approximately 4 hours and later in the evening for a minimum of 8 hours. That the water in the mikvah has 40 sah of living water, which equates to about 191 gallons. Forty is symbolic of the 40 weeks of gestation, representing rebirth and renewal. The living water must be collected through the force of gravity, such as rain. The rain is permitted to fall into a huge container called the bor which is under the building. The mikvah pool shares a wall with the bor, and each shared wall has a hole cut in it which can be plugged up or left open to allow more living water to enter the pool. In order to make the pool legally valid as a mikvah, it is "seeded" with bor water and then filled with regular, chlorinated tap water. When the hole between the pool and the bor is unplugged so that the waters are touching, the pool becomes a valid mikvah. There is also a filtration system that filters the water and keeps it clean and warm.
 That the water in the mikvah has 40 sah of living water, which equates to about 191 gallons. Forty is symbolic of the 40 weeks of gestation, representing rebirth and renewal. The living water must be collected through the force of gravity, such as rain. The rain is permitted to fall into a huge container called the bor which is under the building. The mikvah pool shares a wall with the bor, and each shared wall has a hole cut in it which can be plugged up or left open to allow more living water to enter the pool. In order to make the pool legally valid as a mikvah, it is "seeded" with bor water and then filled with regular, chlorinated tap water. When the hole between the pool and the bor is unplugged so that the waters are touching, the pool becomes a valid mikvah. There is also a filtration system that filters the water and keeps it clean and warm.

How is the water purity maintained?
CGCM has a water filter/disinfectant system, installed in the basement, through which the water to the two mikvaot flows. There is a supply pipe and return pipe-much like a supply and return duct for air. The water is treated with Ultraviolet Light which is an odor free and highly effective disinfectant.

What is the water temperature?
The water is a comfortable 85 degrees.

Is it ever unsafe to immerse in a mikvah?
Immersion should not take place if one has any open cuts, sores or communicable diseases (e.g. bronchitis, fever, etc.). It is customary not to enter the mikvah while menstruating or spotting. Self-dissolving stitches are permitted, but if stitches need to be removed, one should postpone immersion until the stitches are removed and the wound is healed. Other questions can be answered by CGCM attendants.

Can I go in when I am menstruating?
CGCM recommends postponing immersion until the completion of the menstrual cycle. However, according to Halachah (Jewish Law), a mikvah is "lo mekubal Tumah" - that is, it does not become ritually impure. Therefore, a menstruating woman does not render the mikvah ritually impure for other users.

What does immersion actually involve?
The formal ritual is simple and brief. Once in the water, the person ducks under to be completely submerged for a moment or two, then recites a short blessing. The person then immerses one or two times more, according to his/her custom, recites a blessing, and leaves the water.

What are the rules for entering the mikvah?
You must be completely clean before entering the mikvah. CGCM provides a private room where you can undress, remove all jewelry, wash, shampoo, brush your teeth, and remove all obstacles (physical and symbolic) between your body and the water.

What do I need to bring?
All supplies will be provided.

What if I have a body piercing that doesn't easily come out?
In general, the goal is to remove anything that separates you from the water. However, if you have been wearing a particular piece of jewelry (or acrylic nails) for more than 30 days, according to Jewish law, those are considered a part of your body and do not have to be removed for immersion.

Will anyone see me naked?
That depends. It is traditional for a mikvah attendant to act as witness to make certain that every strand of hair is under water. In some cases (e.g. healing) you may choose to immerse in private, with a attendant waiting at the door for safety and support.

Can I go in with another person?
Traditionally, mikvah is an individual, personal ritual. When one immerses at the CGCM, one enters the mikvah area directly from the changing room so that modesty is preserved. However, the pool is large enough for two adults to immerse and, for example, we encourage both parents to participate in the conversion of a child. In such a case, the parents wear bathing suits and only the child is naked. Having more than one person in the mikvah at a time does not render the mikvah "treif" (not kosher/proper) in any way. Friends or family may stand on the deck of the mikvah to offer support.

Will my visit be kept confidential?
Yes, absolutely.