Lexington Miqvah Fund: 2019

Lexington Miqvah Fund

Our mission is to build a small, attractive, egalitarian, kosher miqvah facility in the Central Kentucky area. We want to be able to enjoy the convenience of a local facility to observe mitzvot and to commemorate both private and public lifestyle events, broaden our spirituality, and connect with our ancestors in an unbroken line of observance stretching back to antiquity - and on into the future!

We wish to participate in the growing spiritual trend that is sweeping the nation to reclaim and reinvent one of Judaism's most ancient rituals - immersion in the miqvah - for contemporary spiritual use. We will teach about this resource for all men and women who are interested in new ways to express their individuality, and make the miqvah a sacred space that is open and accessible to all Jews including Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Renewal, Reconstructionist, Unaffiliated, and Secular, including those in the process of becoming Jews.

In order to fulfill this mission, we have these goals in mind:

1. Provide a welcoming, beautiful place for traditional and creative miqvah uses.
2. Foster new ceremonial uses for the miqvah relevant to the 21st century Jewish community.
3. Provide information and accessible hours for those observing the mitzvah of niddah.
4. Recognize and promote the unique interests of men and women in traditional and contemporary miqvah practice.
5. Provide educational resources (both classes and teaching materials) regarding the uses of the miqvah.
6. Secure the financial future of the facility by operating in a fiscally responsible manner and through such means as debt avoidance, annual fund, and endowment development.

The Bluegrass area has been without a community miqvah for many years now. Join the Lexington Miqvah Fund in this historic opportunity to being both tradition and a modern spiritual practice back to the area.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Introducing Rosh Chodesh Lexington!

Rosh Chodesh Lexington will be a monthly drum circle and women's sacred dance ceremony to celebrate the new moon. I'd like to invite you to join us as we plan our first event. I'm imagining a drum circle for those with drums, tambourines, maracas, or other percussion instruments, surrounded by dancers and those chanting and singing. I'm imagining everyone brings an object that represents their hopes, fears, and prayers for a central altar. I'm imagining anointing oil, ritual water, and beautiful candles. I'm imagining a call to heal those willing to receive the group's love and prayers. I'm imagining honoring our departed mother, sisters, and daughters. And of course I'm imagining food, because this is Judaism. We always have food. A potluck would be wonderful, with perhaps some donations or a small cover charge to cover drinks and wine. Depending on the number of RSVPs, celebrations can be held in the OZS social hall, or, a smaller group can meet at my home while we build interest in this project. We could have our first circle for Sivan on June 3rd, 4th, or 5th. If that is too close, we could welcome Tammuz on July 2nd. Let's meet soon and see what you're imagining. Together we can create a new life of women's spirituality in Jewish Lexington. Reply to this email if you're interested in joining us either as just a participant or as one of the mothers of this new project. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon. Please click the graphic on the sidebar to go to the Rosh Chodesh Lexington page. There you will find a link to sign up for our MailChimp listserve which will update everyone on our scheduled events (in addition to being posted on the blog, of course). Shalom, Leah Gayle