Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

WATERVILLE -- A historic day for Waterville as the Beth Israel Synagogue became the second place in the state to offer an ancient Jewish ritual.

According to members of the Beth Israel Congregation, a mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath that is used during lifecycle events or to mark certain transitions.

"It requires a certain amount of 'living water' from a natural source and we are using lake water," said Executive Director of the Beth Israel Congregation, Melanie Weiss.

On Sunday, congregantsand students from Colby College harvested around 1 ton of ice that was then transported from a lake in Strong to the synagogue. The Ice is then being used to fill the first mikvah in central Maine in over a century.

According to Weiss there is a very long and rich history between the synagogue and Colby.

"The Jewish community on campus is very much part of planning how we are going to use the mikvah," said Weiss.

Students say they are already thinking about importantmoments they want to use the ritual for.

"All my Jewish friends on campus at graduation, I want to come with them and use the mikvah you know starting that new part of our lives," said Colby student Andrew Postal. "It felt really special to be part of something bigger than yourself and really make an impact on the community at large."

There is currently only one other open mikvah in Maine at a synagogue in Bangor, making it more difficult for those in other parts of the state to access the ritual.

"We're giving this historical Jewish community, this growing Jewish community one of the greatest resources for spirituality that a Jewish community can enjoy, and what I hope is that it will bring lots of people to Waterville," said Rabbi Rachel Isaacs with the Beth Israel Congregation.

Once the ice has melted, Isaacs says the bath will then open to the whole community for spiritual cleanings, regardless of religious affiliations.

"People need a way to mark time in their lives that makes things holy and special and the fact that we can do that now for generations of the Maine Jewish community and Colby students, its amazing."

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Synagogue in Waterville first to offer Jewish ritual in Central Maine in over a century - FOX Bangor/ABC 7 News and Stories

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