(Courtesy of Peggy Weiss Gopin Mikvah) On November 13 members of the Englewood, Tenafly and surrounding Bergen County communities look forward to gathering for the Rebbetzin Peggy Gopin Weiss Mikvah to recognize the centrality of the mikvah in Jewish family life.
The Peggy Gopin Weiss Mikvah was founded and established in 2016 as an independent organization by the Englewood Mikvah Association, who identified need for a beautifully appointed space where women of the expanding Bergen County communities could fulfill the age-old mitzvah of family purity.
In addition to celebrating the mikvah and its central role in religious law and life, attendees of the event will hear from guest speaker Paula Eiselt—producer and director of the acclaimed film “93Queen.” Ms. Eiselt is an independent filmmaker and “93Queen” is her directorial debut; it offers an exclusive and insider look at the formation of the first all-female volunteer ambulance corps in New York City. Set in the Chasidic region of Borough Park, Brooklyn, Rachel “Ruchie” Frier leads a group of determined women as they struggle to break up the patriarchal hierarchy within their community and offer dignified emergency services to other Chasidic women and girls. Ms. Eiselt eloquently depicts this group of tenacious women, who risk their reputation and children’s future in an act of defiance, as they wrestle between their faith and feminism in pursuit of progressive action to protect the more ancient rules of modesty.
The mitzvah of mikvah has been intimately connected to Jewish women since ancient times. The mikvah itself is the fundamental element in the beauty and sanctity that observing taharat hamishpacha brings to Jewish women’s lives. Throughout the generations, especially in times of persecution and religious oppression, women obstinately went in search of ritual water to uphold this ancient mitzvah. Today, Jewish women are blessed not only to have access to mikvaot but to have ritual bathhouses that are elegantly adorned, impeccably maintained and available throughout most of the country and many places around the world.
The Rebbetzin Peggy Gopin Weiss Mikvah relies on fees from usage but their main source of funding comes from donations from the community. Without the ongoing support of the greater community the mikvah cannot prosper and continue to offer services of ritual purity against the backdrop of serene spa-like experience. The organizing committee encourages all women in the Bergen County area to join us for this critically important event and riveting evening on Tuesday, November 13. All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Englewood Mikvah and its invaluable place within Jewish life. For additional information regarding the event or how you can contribute to the Peggy Gopin Mikvah please contact Wendy Levites, administrator, at [email protected].
