“The building of a Mikvah takes precedence over building a synagogue, buying a Torah scroll, and all other Mitzvot”
– The Chofetz Chaim, zt”l, Sefer Taharat Yisrael
What is a Mikvah?
The mikvah, which literally means “gathering (of water)” in Hebrew, is a ritual bath of pure rainwater. This pure rainwater is connected to an immersion pool of clean, purified water in which immersion takes place. A ritual immersion signifies a change of status in Jewish tradition: one who converts to Judaism immerses in the mikvah's waters and emerges a Jew; utensils which are immersed in the mikvah leave its waters fit for use by kosher households; brides and grooms immerse in the mikvah before their weddings and emerge renewed, prepared for their new status in life; those who immerse before the sabbath or the high holidays emerge sanctified, ready for the serious nature of the days ahead; those who practice the laws of family purity (taharat hamishpacha) emerge changed and renewed, ready to return to family life with each immersion.
Supervision and Oversight
Our local mikvah is maintained by the Kansas Mikvah Association, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization led by volunteer community members. Though independent, the Mikvah is housed at Kehilath Israel synagogue and receives a great deal of assistance from KI staff.
Support
The mikvah is solely supported by membership ($180 per year), regular use ($18 per visit) and conversions ($100). The mikvah has received generous support from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the Dreiseszun Family Foundation, Kehilath Israel Synagogue, and Mikvah USA for the recent state-of-the art renovation. Please click DONATE to give to our worthy cause. Thank you.
The current Kansas City Community Mikvah was constructed with the supervision and advice of Rabbi Nota Greenblatt, a noted Halakhic authority from Memphis, TN, and he was consulted during the renovation phase as well. Local questions related to the mikvah may be directed to Rabbi Mark Glass of Congregation Beth Israel Abraham and Voliner.
Brief History
The Kansas City community mikvah has been located at the current Kehilath Israel Synagogue at 103rd and Conser in Overland Park since the late 1980's. K.I. first began housing the community’s mikvah in the early 1960s, when it was located at Meyer Boulevard and Rockhill Road. Max and Sarah Hyman donated funds for its construction, and their names remain on the original plaque which has been restored and now hangs in the current location. Before it was at K.I., the city’s mikvah was located in a free-standing building at 34th and Park. There was at least one other mikvah before that, near Independence Avenue.
Renovation
After twenty-five years at the Kehilath Israel location, the mikvah was in need of a renovation, beautification, and upgrade. The Kansas Mikvah Association is proud to have raised sufficient funds for a newly completed three-phase renovation. Phase one included an upgrade and renovation of the plumbing room, housing the hot water tank and other vital plumbing apparatus. New heating and cooling were installed, as well as an automatic chemical balancing and purification system for the water, an auto-refill valve for the mikvah, and a new hot water heater. Phase two included completely re-tiling and repainting the pool and bathroom, replacing fixtures, and other cosmetic upgrades. Special considerations were made to ensure that the mikvah is safe, hygienic, and well-lit. Phase three included repainting and refurnishing of the waiting room.
The goal of these renovations was to modernize the mikvah and to make it more attractive and user-friendly to those who use it on a regular basis, and to those who visit its waters as part of the conversion process. It is hoped that through these renovations, those who use the mikvah will have a more comfortable, pleasant, spiritually uplifting experience. It is also hoped that these renovations will allow the non-Jewish family members of those converting to the Jewish faith to appreciate and respect Jewish rituals, as the traditional meets the modern in a beautiful, spiritual space. We are proud of our upcoming rededication celebration, and hope that over time, our community’s new and beautiful space will make the mikvah’s traditions interesting, accessible and understandable to all who are interested in further information.
Links to more information and articles about Mikvah:
http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/1541/jewish/The-Mikvah.htm
http://www.mikvah.org/article/why_mikvah%3F
http://www.kveller.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-mikveh/
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-mikveh-2/2/
http://tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/150490/mikveh-conversion
http://www.kveller.com/how-the-mikveh-helped-me-through-my-miscarriage/
http://jewinthecity.com/2012/08/mikvah-splish-splash-is-it-a-jewish-bath-ep-6-season-2/
Our recent article in the KC Jewish Chronicle:
Resources for the Mikvah User:
https://www.mikvahcalendar.com/
http://crazyjewishconvert.blogspot.com/2011/01/mikvah-in-nutshell.html
http://www.theweddingyentas.com/jewish-traditions/taking-the-mystery-out-of-the-mikvah