Purity with Dignity - Featured in "Living Jewish"

Nechama was recovering from a severe work-related injury that transformed ordinary activities into formidable challenges. The nature of the injury and precautions set up by doctors in the first few weeks prevented her from bending over, and minor errands were a huge undertaking. As she marked her calendar, Nechama viewed the special date with trepidation; how would she be able to prepare properly for her immersion in the mikveh while her body was frequently riddled with pain and constant dizzy spells? She did not want to faint in the water.

It is said that anyone who strives to purify herself is given assistance from Above. Nechama explained carefully her needs to her mikveh attendant, and they were like angels in disguise checking on her and helping wherever necessary. In addition to the attention and care she received with her preparations, Nechama discovered that someone had generously covered her mikveh fees. Since her temporary disability had rendered her unable to work, Nechama’s heart was warmed by such consideration and said she was grateful that her name didn’t have to be written in the mikveh ladies thick notebook of debts.

Rabbi Eliyahu Shear and Shoshana Shear with rabbinical approval and Hallachic guidance of Rabbi Fishel Jacobs started the organization “Purity with Dignity” to assist women who cannot pay their fees for the mikveh. While a mikveh fee might seem like a minor amount of money, the sad fact is that there are women who have to scrimp on food choices for their families to pay for their monthly trip to the mikveh, and their debts can quickly pile up. When the Shears raised the 800 shekel to cover one woman’s substantial debt, the mikveh lady confessed that Purity with Dignity had done a chesed not only for the woman, but for the mikveh lady, who felt a stabbing pain in her heart at the thought of reminding a poor woman that she had outstanding debts.

As a spin off of Purity with Dignity, the Shears started the organization “Bayit Chadash” providing basic items for needy Kallahs, along with a package of necessities for a woman’s first trip to the mikveh. Rabbi Jacobs commented; “The Shears are not only helping defray immersion related costs, they are literally making embarking into a life of marriage not something to dread. Rather into that special dream it is meant to be.” If you would like to make a contribution, please visit http://torahonline.weebly.com/baal-teshuva-mitzvah-fund.html

Miriam Metzinger, miriammetz@gmail.com

--- This article was published on Living Jewish

Purity with Dignity - Sad News and Appeals

Over the last 2 days some distressing news has come our way regarding women's Mikvaot in Jerusalem and surrounding area.

The first was the notification that one of the Mikvaot in Jerusalem has installed a slot machine with metal turnstyle at the entrance. Women have to pay in the machine in order for the turn style to let them in. This is similar to what is used in the mens Mikvaot and also the public toilets. However, the result is that if a woman does not have the means to pay her entrance fee, she can no longer quitely explain her situation to the Mikvah Lady and receive permission to go in and pay later, she now has to embarrass herself by calling through the metal bars that she cant pay. Torah forbids us to to anything that will cause embarrassment to our fellow Jew.

We are appealing to you to make a contribution to our Mikvah Project - Purity with Dignity to assist any women so that they will not come to be embarrassed G-d forbid when going to fulfill and improtant Mitzvah.

The second piece of distressing news was a break in to a women's Mikvah. The thiefs stole all that was in the kupah. The Balanit of the Mikvah requested that the outstanding debts to the Mikvah can be covered as they now have additional expenses.

Please give generously. Our fellow Jewish women here in Israel need your help so that they can continue to fulfill the mitzvah of Family Purity with Dignity.