The 'Mikveh Online' Initiative: "I Wanted to Make Immersion Convenient and Accessible for Everyone"

"Who is behind the 'Mikveh Online' initiative?" many women have been asking themselves in recent months as they encountered the unique website that allows them to easily schedule an immersion appointment at the mikveh, secure a specific time slot, and even make payments in advance. "Why didn't anyone think of this before?" others have wondered, and indeed, they are quite right.

The website and app, which currently include hundreds of mikvahs across the country with many more to join soon, is one of those ideas that should have been obvious and implemented long ago, but no one had taken the initiative. That is, until Noam Tzror, a young woman, decided to do something about it.

A Joyful Mitzvah

"I believe that when a woman comes to perform the mitzvah of immersion, she should do so with joy," claims Noam. "Personally, over the years, I've visited a lot of mikvahs, and repeatedly encountered technical issues that caused difficulties or discomfort. Speaking for myself, I usually go to mikvahs in communities where communication is direct with the attendant, and I often find myself needing to find their phone number, contact them to inquire about opening hours and availability, only to discover I'm often left waiting for a long time. There was also the issue of all payments being in cash, and I'm a young woman accustomed to using credit cards only, and there was no way to pay on Shabbat at all. As I've mentioned, these problems kept recurring, not just in one place.

Noam concluded that a change was necessary, and she approached her brother Amitai, who co-manages a web and app development company with his partner Ido Portal. "I explained the issue to my brother, saying they must enter this field, as it's unreasonable for things to remain so complicated when they can be solved at the push of a button. Initially, Ido and Amitai had some reservations, but very quickly, they were enthusiastic and decided to take on the project wholeheartedly."

Photo: shutterstock

From Thought to Action

The developers began working on the task, and quickly realized that improving the situation required not just an app, but two different sites, which they indeed created. "One site was developed for women coming to immerse, where they can schedule appointments and pay in advance," describes Noam. "The site also includes updated information about the mikvahs concerning location, opening hours, and other necessary details. This is the most current information as it's updated by the attendants, providing certainty that the information is correct. There is also a chat feature to communicate with the attendant and inquire about anything, making the process very convenient, and of course, payments can be made in advance. I've heard from attendants that many women transfer large amounts through the site to cover past debts. Now, such debts won't accumulate anymore, as payment is made in advance, there's no need for cash, and payment can be made before Shabbat for immersion on Shabbat itself."

The second site, according to Noam, is intended for the attendants and also functions as an app, allowing them to log in and update it with payments received and additional details. "Most attendants are older women, and some initially had difficulty adjusting to the new technology, but after a few tries, they understood the significance of this innovation," she explains. "It's a truly significant change, with a convenient and fast site replacing the notebooks used until now. I say this after several months of operation during which we have been supported by community leaders and see how much this was needed. The whole process becomes easy, simple, accessible, and quick, ultimately benefiting everyone – the attendants, the women immersing, and even the religious council, which can monitor operations more easily."

And how many communities in the country are already using 'Mikveh Online'?

"We started the pilot a few months ago in various communities in Binyamin, and as time goes by, we receive additional requests and are expanding to more mikvahs across the country. Today, we are already working with hundreds of mikvahs and are in contact with dozens more, with the sites soon to be used by them too.

"What mainly fuels us is the feedback from the attendants and the women," she adds. "The attendants are truly doing sacred work, working all year round even in difficult times, and they deserve to have a site that makes their job easier. The women also tell us how enjoyable and reassuring it is to know they can book appointments remotely without pressure or unnecessary calls, and arrive at their scheduled time and enter immediately. It calms them, and I love hearing that. This is such an important and precious mitzvah, and there should be no reason for it to be done under pressure or stress."

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