Meredith Joy writes: “This square is an interpretation of the mikvah. What I wanted to create was an image that would represent the idea of emerging, re-birth, and renewal. To me these are the primary spiritual roots of the mikvah. Unfortunately, the mikvah has been associated to ideas of cleanliness and impurity, alienating many people from being able to connect with the ritual.

I was recently re-reading Waters of Eden by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and was surprised by the importance of this ritual in the history of the Jewish people. The mikvah has its roots at Mt. Sinai as one of the earliest Jewish rituals. At Sinai before Israel received the Torah there were three rituals included in the covenant: circumcision, immersion and a sacrifice. Immersing in a mikvah was the means by which all Jews originally entered the covenant with G!d. In reading this I was struck by the power of this link through time.

My love and connection to this ritual of immersing in the mikvah has deepened over the past couple of years as I have learned more about the role of the mikvah and experienced the way in which it invites mindfulness, awareness and inward attention. It clears the air and provides space for a fresh start.”

About the Artist. “I am 36 years old. I love spending time with friends, being at TBZ, walking in the woods and on beaches, gardening and reading. I am the Administrative Director of several programs at Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Boston.”

Meredith Joy is Organizational Director of The Temple Beth Zion Faith Quilts.