Channie, naturally was delighted and the teaching process began.
She gave me a good book to read, “The Secret of Jewish Femininity: Insights into the Practice of Taharat Hamishpacha.”
We had to plan this very discreetly, as I live in Ste Agathe des Monts, 60 miles north of Montreal, where I was planning to go to the mikvah. Also, I rarely drive to Montreal by myself, so all the planning had to include my husband and Channie.
Dates were looked into and discussed and the pre-mikvah teaching process began. I wanted to follow exactly the laws of harchakot (separation). Channie and I discussed the process very carefully and my husband graciously and lovingly went along with me on the various restrictions.
It was an eye-opener for me. Even though I was raised in a traditional Jewish home, and also raised my children (3 sons) in a very traditional Jewish way, mikvah was not a part of our life. My mother was widowed at age 55 years, when I was 10 years old, and there were no men in our home (not till I was married) and even then it was not part of my life.
The mitzvah of mikvah is what truly touched me. This was very special and something I did not know. I realize only now how important it is to the Jewish family, for the mother and wife to observe the laws of mikvah.
I was very careful to observe the shiva niki’im (seven preparatory days) and when the time came to go to the mikvah, I was truly like a young bride – apprehensive, excited and eager.
I was surprised at the beauty and cleanliness of the mikvah building. The preparation process is a time for thought and meditation on body and soul. I became thoroughly relaxed and cherished every moment.
Experiencing the immersion is an event every Jewish woman is blessed to observe. I felt I was starting a new cycle of life at age 70 and I will always thank my beautiful Rebbetzin Channie Carlebach for helping me.