Immersions Women - Ohev Sholom Congregation

Preparing for your immersion

The preparation rooms are designed to allow you to take the time you wish to prepare for your immersion. Each preparation room is equipped with towels and basic supplies such as shampoo, body wash, cotton balls, nail polish remover, hair dryer, and more. You will also find a robe and slippers available for your use. The slippers provided are for your walk from the preparation room to the mikvah. The mikvah attendant will be happy to bring you any additional supplies that we have available. There is a closet and hangers available for your personal belongings as well.

Should you have any questions or require any assistance in the course of your preparations, please do not hesitate to contact the attendant, who is there to support you throughout the immersion process.

Immersing in the Mikvah

When you have completed your preparations and are waiting in the robe provided (you are welcome to bring your own), please alert the mikvah attendant via the intercom and wait for her to come to your room. She will knock on your door and then guide you to the mikvah. For your privacy and the privacy of other users, please wait until the attendant comes to your room to escort you.

The mikvah attendant will ask if you would like her to check any part of your body for anything that you might have missed that may be a barrier between your body and the water. It is up to you whether or not you would like to be checked.

The mikvah attendant will turn away while you enter the water, to ensure your privacy. When you are ready, please let your attendant know that you are ready to begin your immersions.

Women have different customs regarding the number of times they immerse in the mikvah. Many Ashkenazi women immerse once, recite the blessing, and then immerse twice more. The mikvah attendant is present to ensure that your hair goes fully under the water when you immerse. After each immersion, she will confirm that your hair was fully submerged.

The blessing is available in Hebrew and transliteration in the mikvah room. You can also ask the mikvah attendant to help you recite it.

Should you wish to recite additional prayers, we have many options available in the mikvah office. Please discuss with your attendant, or feel free to be in touch in advance if you would like to find a prayer that meets your needs for this immersion.

You are also welcome to spend additional time in the mikvah by yourself. Some women find mikvah immersion to be a time for reflection and prayer.

When your immersions are complete, your attendant can either step out of the room for you to emerge, or assist you discreetly. Once back in the preparation room, you can take the time you need to dry off and get dressed and ready to leave the mikvah.

Mikvah Attendants

Your mikvah attendant is there to help make your mikvah experience as meaningful as possible.

The presence of a mikvah attendant is traditionally required in order to achieve a halachic immersion by witnessing that a woman’s hair is fully submerged under the water. All of the mikvah attendants at our mikvah have been trained to create a safe and nurturing space for those immersing. You are welcome to bring a female guest to serve as your mikvah attendant if you prefer.

Our mikvah attendants are trained to discreetly and sensitively assist in creating a positive mikvah experience for all mikvah users. Please let your mikvah attendant know how best she can serve you during your visit to our mikvah. Each visitor to our mikvah is invited to follow their own custom. If you prefer to immerse alone, or with your own female guest, just let your mikvah attendant know. Your attendant is there to create an atmosphere that is spiritual and supportive in whatever way she can.

About the Mikvah Water

The water in the mikvah is treated with chlorine and has a halachic filter to help maintain clean and clear water. Chlorine and pH levels are monitored for your safety. Additionally, the mikvah pools are thoroughly cleaned monthly. The water temperature in the women's mikvah is set to a comfortable 94 degrees.

Other Information

Should any questions arise during your time at our mikvah that cannot be answered to your satisfaction by the mikvah attendant, please do not hesitate to contact Rabbanit Wolkenfeld at rabbanit@ohevdc.org.

For a detailed guide to immersions and preparation, click here.