What is Mikveh

A “mikveh” is the ritual bath in which religious Jewish women (from wedding until menopause) immerse once a month, in order to purify themselves from the ‘impure blood’ and be once again permitted (physically) to their husbands.

Mikveh is the physical space in which this play unfolds, but it is also the humane space deep within the souls of women, living in a religious world of men, that binds them with it’s laws and duties. 

Hadar’s first full-length drama for theatre takes a peek at orthodox women’s lives via the most intimate ritual (immersion) – ‘the Mikve’. It’s first production ran over 600 times at the Beit Lessin theatre. Nominated for six National theatre awards and won two – including Israel’s prestigious “Play of the Year“ award in 2005. An updated version of “Mikve” (since 2019) is now running at Habima National theatre. Mikve has also had 16 International productions in 9 countries, and won several International awards.

SYNOPSIS 

Mikveh is the physical space in which this story unfolds, but it is also the human space deep within the souls of these women who live in a religious world of men that binds them with its laws and duties. Below the still waters of the mikveh – the Jewish ritual bath – flow the secrets and the lies in the lives of eight women – eight stories destined to be bound together by one wave of courage, truth, and understanding of the profound power of sisterhood. But not all can survive…
Inside the secretive world of the ritual bath, the women’s stories unfold in this sensitive depiction of religious observance and evolving feminist consciousness. An insightful examination of traditions and rituals, this hit play explores the ever-evolving position of women in Israeli society.

Mikveh has had thirteen international productions – some of which have been running for more than a decade. In Israel, Mikveh received the Play of the Year Award in 2005.