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Q. How do I make an appointment?
Click here to make an appointment. If you have any issues scheduling, please email info@stamfordmikvah.org.
Q: How much is each Mikvah visit, and how can I pay?
We now have different rates for appointments based on time and prep needs. Shower appointments are $30 and bath appointments are $36. All payments are handled through the Mikvah RSVP portal, and payment can be made by credit card. Joining the Mayim League includes a year of free immersion for you or for one designated person, meaning that you or your designated person will not have to pay to schedule appointments for your membership year.
Q: My desired appointment time was unavailable. Can I walk-in?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate walk-ins at this time. Please use our appointment portal to schedule an appointment as soon as you know you’ll need the Mikvah. We’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Q: What is the Mayim League?
The Mayim League is our annual membership, with several tiers. If you purchase the Silver Membership or above ($500 or more), you receive one year of included tevilah for yourself or a designated person. Mayim League membership may be purchased through the donation portal on the mikvah website. Once you purchase your membership, please email info@stamfordmikvah.org so that we can correctly designate who will receive the year of free tevilah on our end.
Q: What if I need financial assistance to afford my tevilah?
We do not turn anyone away because of their inability to pay. If you need to schedule an appointment and are unable to pay, please email info@stamfordmikvah.org, and a member of our team will assist you. If you’d like to help a sister afford her tevilah, we are accepting donations to our financial aid fund through the donation portal on our website. In the memo line, please write “Financial Aid Fund.”
Q: Can men use this Mikvah, too?
This is a women-only Mikvah. There is a men's Mikvah at the Armon Hotel, and you can contact them directly at info@armonstamford.com.
Q: Can I immerse my Vessels in this Mikvah?
We are pleased to share that we have a separate Keilim Mikvah. This is located directly to the right of the women's Mikvah, and instructions on how to enter are posted on the door. The Keilim Mikvah is open at 7 AM and closes 2 hours before sunset.
Q: How long are appointments?
Shower appointments are 20 minutes and bath appointments are 45 minutes. Requests for additional times are welcome.
Q: How can I access the Mikvah?
After scheduling your appointment and receiving your confirmation, please arrive as close to your mikvah appointment as possible. Please knock on the door, and a mikvah attendant will let you in. You’re welcome to wait in our beautiful waiting room or wait in your car.
Q: How far is the Mikvah from the Armon Hotel?
The Armon Hotel is 1.1 miles from the Mikvah, and about a 25-minute walk. We know that many guests stay at the Stamford Hilton, which is about an hour walk and is outside the eruv.
Q: Under whose Rabbinic Supervision is the Mikvah?
The Minnie Manger Marcia Lieberman Mikvah was designed and developed with the guidance of Rabbi Yirmiyahu Katz, a world-renowned specialist in the field of Mikveh. His expertise, demand for quality and luxury, and particular attention to detail make the mikvah distinct. The mikvah is both Bor Al Gabei Bor and Bor al Tzad Bor.
Q: Is the Mikvah open on Friday nights and Yom Tov?
Yes, the Mikvah is open on Friday nights and Yom Tov by appointment only. Please go to https://www.mikvahrsvp.com/stamfordmikvah to reserve your appointment at least 24 hours in advance for your Friday night and Yom Tov appointments.
Q: Who can I contact if I have any questions or need any help with the Mikvah?
For questions about Mikvah operations, please contact info@stamfordmikvah.org and Shery Herzberg, Adina Adelman, or Nicole Makovsky will assist you. For questions about niddah or halacha, please contact either Zissy Turner, the community Yoetzet Halacha, at yoetzet@cas-stamford.org or Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org or (203) 358-2200.
Q: What do I do if going to the Mikvah has been a negative experience for me in the past?
We’re so sorry to hear that. We understand that every woman comes to the Mikvah with her entire world on her shoulders. While we can’t erase past negative experiences or current pain, we strive to make the Mikvah a positive and healing place for all the women we serve. Our appointment form includes a comment box where you can add any information you’d like the Mikvah attendant to know (such as fertility struggles, phobias, or other circumstances you might want the attendant to be aware of before you arrive). There is no obligation to share. That said, we welcome your openness so you can have the most comfortable experience possible. Further, all of our attendants have also undergone sensitivity training and are prepared to answer your questions and respect your privacy.
Q: How can we give feedback to the Mikvah?
Thanks for asking. We welcome all feedback, good and bad. Please feel free to email your feedback to info@stamfordmikvah.org or speak to a member of the Mikvah committee.
Q: How can I donate to the Mikvah?
We run and thrive on community support and are grateful you asked. Click here to donate, which accepts credit card payments.
Q. How can I volunteer my time?
Please contact info@stamfordmikvah.org and Adina Adelman or Nicole Makovsky will be in touch. We welcome all volunteers and community involvement.
What is chafifa?
Chafifa is the term for the preparations that must be done before Tevilah, dunking in the mikvah. Chafifa is an integral part of the mitzvah.
What is the process for chafifa?
The following checklist serves as a guideline for chafifa:
I have done a thorough chafifah to complete my preparations:
Soaked for proper amount of time
Washed my hair with warm water and shampoo
Combed the hair on my head or separated my hair with my fingers to ensure there are no knots
Bathed my entire body – paying attention to elbows, knees, spaces between fingers and toes, and the back
Cleaned my breasts, nipples and areola paying careful attention to creases, especially if I am nursing, naval, washed genital areas (also internally)
Soaked or removed scabs, and smoothed hard skin
Cleaned my nose, ears, earring holes, eyes, eyebrows and lashes
Cleaned my teeth with toothbrush, toothpick or floss
Removed any body hair that is generally removed (ideally not on the day of immersion)
Cut and filed my nails and removed nail polish
Removed makeup, band-aids and patches, and checked for adhesive
Removed all jewelry, glasses, lenses, false teeth, hearing aids
Washed my hair again with water immediately prior to immersion
Used the bathroom
Checked my entire body
What prep materials are provided by the Mikvah?
The Stamford Mikvah provides all of the prep materials you need to do the chafifa. These include a robe, towel, slippers, bath mat, washcloth, comb, nail clippers, q-tips, cotton balls, dental floss, contact lens case and solution, makeup remover, nail polish remover, emery board, toothbrush, and toothpaste. We can also provide bottled water upon request.
What is the process for Tevilah?
When you are finished chafifa, you will ring the attendant by pressing the buzzer on the phone. The attendant will come to get you to escort you to the mikvah. Please patiently wait until the mikvah attendant knocks on your door that leads to the immersion room. Do not enter the immersion room until the attendant knocks (to ensure there is not another woman in the immersion room). During tevilah, the water is supposed to reach all parts of your body. Hands should be relaxed and open. Eyes and lips should be gently closed. Due to the holiness of the mikvah waters, the accepted practice is to not shower post tevilah at mikvah.
How does chafifa differ for Shabbos or Yom Tov?
All mikvah preparations should be done on Friday, prior to Shabbat or Yom Tov. You should finish bathing, combing hair, cutting nails, and be sure to remove all makeup and nail polish before Shabbat/Yom Tov begins. The attendant will meet you at the mikvah one hour after candle lighting time. In the preparation room, please remember to remove all jewelry, contact lenses, false teeth, and glasses. After you do a thorough check of your body and mouth to ensure that there are no chatzitzot (barriers between yourself and the mikvah water), please open the preparation room door slightly and let the attendant know you’re ready. For Second Day Yom Tov or Shabbat that follows Yom Tov, all mikvah preparations should be done on erev Yom Tov.
Tevilah on Shabbat or Yom Tov
There is no shower immediately before immersion on Friday night and Yom Tov. Instead, you should tilt your head back to wet your hair before making the bracha. During tevilah, the water is supposed to reach all parts of your body. Hands should be relaxed and open. Eyes and lips should be gently closed. Due to the holiness of the mikvah waters, the accepted practice is not to shower post tevilah at mikvah.
After Tevilah on Shabbat or Yom Tov
As wringing out one’s hair and towel are not allowed on Shabbat, please be careful when drying off after using the mikvah.
Does the Mikvah have a lost and found?
No, we don’t have a formal lost and found. If you forgot something at the Mikvah, please email info@stamfordmikvah.org to arrange a time to retrieve your item.
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