The
Mikvah Project
The Mikvah Project in the North Jerusalem area wants to make your Mikvah experience a pleasant one!
Our needs as chutzniks sometimes differ from the locals. We want every woman to welcome this Holy Mitzvah with the joy and comfort it deserves!
Neighborhood Mikvah Information
Directions to our local Mikvaos
Ramat Eshkol
Sanhedria Murchevet
Sanhedria/Pagi
French Hill
About the Mikvaos
Going to the mikvah here can be surprisingly different than your home experience. Expecting these differences can transform your experience!
Here are some of those differences:
Location
- All are attached to a shul
- None have parking lots specifically for the mikvah
- Some have an active mikva for keilim right near it
- Most will have some bushes/ trees to block the entranceway and provide more privacy
Note: Because these are neighborhood mivkaos, husbands should not be anywhere near the mikvah entrance. If your husband is walking you or dropping you off at the mikvah, he should stop accompanying you at least a block away from the mikvah entrance.
When you walk in:
-
Balanit (Mikvah attendant) will ask what do you need? She is asking you if you need to take a bath or a shower. She needs to know this for two reasons:
1) Price difference
2)So she knows which room to assign you to (there are rooms with just showers and others with baths) - If you prefer a specific room- ask if it’s available
- In all of these mikvaos you need to take your towel/ robe from closet and/or front desk and then take it to your room
- If you want an extra towel then you usually need to pay extra for that
- Some mikvaos have kits available for sale- what it includes will vary from mikvah to mikvah
Note: Because these are neighborhood mivkaos, husbands should not be anywhere near the mikvah entrance. If your husband is walking you or dropping you off at the mikvah, he should stop accompanying you at least a block away from the mikvah entrance.
In the Room
There will be basic paraphernalia in room:
- Toothpicks
- Cotton balls
- Lemon juice ( to remove veggie shmutz from hands)
- Nail polish remover
- Baby oil for makeup remover
- Shampoo- either will be in room or in an individualized packet with a sponge that you receive after you pay
- Comb
- Sheitel head
- Slides- non disposable
For everything else – such as lens solution, floss, nail clippers, razor, etc. ask the balanit. Some items, such as a toothbrush or disposable slippers are usually an extra fee. If you forgot to ask for an item before going into the room, call the balanit with the button
How do you call the balanit?
- Go through a checklist to ask if you did iyun (checked your ears, nose, mouth, etc)
- some like to be more thorough than others when checking and asking
- in general they are more machmir here on details such as cuticle, ears, scabs, etc
- She will check your hands and feet
- She might ask to check for hair on your back
This is the protocol in E”Y. It is intended to help us fulfill the Mitzvah in the most mehudar – and beautiful- way possible, Once she confirms that you have checked yourself properly, she will then take you to the bor – as the Mikvah is called here. The bor might be attached to your room or down the hall. If you did not take a robe and would like one at this point, kindly ask the balanit to bring one for you.
In the Bor
There will be basic paraphernalia in room:
- Many Israeli balaniyot are not accustomed to discreetly turning away as women go in and out of the water. If this is important to you, make sure to specifically request it in advance so it is comfortable for both of you. (This practice is changing recently, especially in American neighborhoods.)
- She will usually ask you how many times you dunk
- The balanit will place your towel over your head while you say the bracha and yehi ratzon
- When you come out, the balanit will hold the towel up for you and then she’ll usually shake your hand (as the accepted minhag is in E”Y) and shower you with brachos.
Back In the Room
Here is another big difference in our experiences here and there. Before leaving the room, you’re expected to leave it as you found it when you came in. There is minimal cleaning done between the women and you’re expected to clean up after yourself:
- Clean up your hair
- Take out the bag of garbages deposit it in the garbage bin near the sink outside,
- Take out the towel/ robe and deposit them in the designated bin near the hallway sink
- If there is a lot of water on the floor and there is a sponga stick in the room, mop the water into the hole
- When leaving, make sure to leave the door open
For everything else – such as lens solution, floss, nail clippers, razor, etc. ask the balanit. Some items, such as a toothbrush or disposable slippers are usually an extra fee. If you forgot to ask for an item before going into the room, call the balanit with the button
Some mikvaos have a make-up/ powder room for you to put on make-up before you leave. Often, these areas are designated by a curtain, and not a proper door.
Standard protocol is to acknowledge the balanit (thank you, or good night) on the way out. Slipping out anonymously is often hurtful to the blaniyot who put their heart and soul into this work.
Mikvah on Shabbos
Timing
The Mikvah opens for a very limited amount of time. Keep in mind that the balaniyot need to get home for their seuda. Coming & toiveling on time are essential. Do not walk in right before closing.
Additionally, the mikvaos here are not open after seuda time as is customary in some cities in chu”l.
Location
Once again, the mikvahs are right near the shuls so there will be men ALL AROUND and you might be walking past neighbors and friends that you know in order to go to the mikvah. Brainstorm how to make it more comfortable for yourself.
Here are a few ideas:
- Carry a pan (with or without stuff inside) and cover it in foil to make it look inconspicuous
- Push an empty stroller to make it look like you’re going to pick something/ someone up
- Take advantage of any back/ side entrance to the building
At the mikvah:
Here are a few ideas:
- When you’re ready you need to knock on the inner door to let the balanit know. She will usually be waiting on the other side in order to hear the women as soon as they're ready.
- She will then ask- מי מוכנה? (Who is ready?) which is your prompt to then call out your room number. The number will either be printed on or above the door.
- Then, she will knock and come to get you
- A shaila came up? No problem- that’s the (only) plus of being next door to a shul 🙂 Ask the balanit to go to the Rav next door to ask your shaila.
- Currently, the Paran mikvah has a system to get a goy to help if the need comes up.
- Run home before the men come out of shul!
Payment: Yes, you need to pay for shabbos tevilah. Either call or walk in on motzei shabbos or during the week in order to pay.
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