Rivkah Slonim

The historical aspect is invaluable, and the religious perspective is compelling. Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology is extremely educational, bringing us varying trains of thought on the Mikvah experience. Reading it brought new insight to my eyes and mind, to my heart and soul regarding Jewish life in general, sexuality and Judaism, and Jewish life concerning expectations within a marriage. In my opinion, it is a book not to be missed, and one that belongs in every personal and public library. Bravo to those who shared their most personal moments with the reader! Bravo to Rivkah Slonim for compiling the stories within this excellent book! I highly recommend Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology to everyone.… (meer)

Sixty essays address the following questions: “What can it mean to be a Jewish woman today? Does the Jewish tradition offer ways in which a contemporary woman can bring spirituality and meaning to her life? How and where does one begin in a practical way?” The book is divided into three sections – Self, Home and Family, and Community and Beyond, but there is often overlap as “women’s lives show themselves inextricably woven of these three strands.” Some of the contributors are well known authors or community figures and some of the essays have appeared in publications. Others offer a fresh and interesting perspective on such varied topics as baking challah, giving money to the homeless, divorce, and Barbie. The contributor biographies are as interesting as the contributions.

My favorites were the one about the three mitzvot of women and how they rectify Chava's eating the forbidden fruit, the one about the women who was with her father when he died, and the one about the women performing the burial rituals. The essay about getting a divorce was poignant, at first very sad, but had a happy ending.… (meer)