Immersions by appointment ONLY with requests a minimum of 4-7 days in advance (take holidays/Shabbat into consideration), thank you.
What is a Mikvah?
A Mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath requiring "living waters" sourced from rain. Natural bodies of water are all kosher mikvahs. The ritual of immersion is rooted in centuries of tradition and is a way for Jews to experience an embodied spirituality that can connect them to God, their own body, their ancestors and the water cycle of our planet.
Who can use the Mikvah?
Anyone who identifies as Jewish is welcome to experience Rachel's Well Community Mikvah. It is customary to give tzedakah (a contribution) when visiting a Mikvah. No one will be turned away for inability to make a donation.
Suggested contributions:
- Conversions $118
- One-Time Lifecycle Passages/Personal Transitions
(e.g. Pre-Wedding, Celebration, Healing) $72 - Repeated Use (e.g. Niddah, Before Shabbat & Other Holidays) $30
- Dish/Utensil Mikvah - user choice of amount
Memberships with unlimited uses of the Mikvah (Payment plans (quarterly, monthly) available on memberships)
- Individual $300 Family unlimited $500
What is a Mikvah?
Rockne Roll chats with Naomi Malka, a long-time mikvah manager who consulted on the construction and operation of Rachel's Well Community Mikvah in Portland, Oregon. They discussed what makes a mikvah a mikvah and its many uses.
What is the Mikvah
Used For?
A Mikvah is a Jewish sacred space designed to support Jewish ritual life and the personal transitions of individuals and families in the community. We welcome those visiting the Mikvah for traditional reasons like: married women immersing monthly (niddah/taharat ha-mishpacha), getting married, making dishes kosher, conversion, and preparing spiritually for Shabbat and holidays.
Equally welcome and encouraged are creative reasons to immerse, such as to celebrate a major life transition or change in status. Examples of this type of visit are varied but include reaching a milestone birthday, acknowledging a diagnosis or recovery from illness, marking the end of a mourning period, becoming a bar or bat mitzvah, coming out, or celebrating an anniversary.
Before you come to Rachel's Well...
Being clean is necessary before using the Mikvah; everyone must shower before entering, even if you bathed right before your appointment. We provide 2 preparation rooms where you can undress, remove all jewelry, wash, shampoo, brush teeth, and remove all obstacles (physical & symbolic) between your body and the Mikvah waters. More Frequently Asked Questions
