A Rosh Chodesh gathering in the summer? In Mountain Home? With swimming? That’s right – it’s the return of our Mountain Home mikveh experience and Rosh Chodesh celebration for women of CABI at Reba Lindsay’s backyard pool. We will gather on Sunday, July 15, to mark Rosh Chodesh Av. Reba’s home is in Mountain Home, and we’ll carpool from the synagogue (we already have a driver with a 7-passenger van); we’ll meet in the parking lot just before 2:00 pm and head out.

At Reba’s, where there’s a heated backyard pool, we’ll gather, visit, nosh, re-examine the tradition of mikveh immersion, and welcome the new month. Rosh Chodesh Av is a time that conjures up a mixture of conflicting moods: The joy of Rosh Chodesh and the renewal of the moon, mixed with the sadness and tragedy that fall during the month of Av, the month of the destruction of the Temple. Being Jewish often means being able to see the bright side of sad times, and not forget the sad note at happy times. So we’ll gather and share joy and togetherness, even at a time of many ups and downs, both in ancient times and in our own world now. Reba’s backyard is fenced, but our privacy may not be 100 percent complete; accordingly, please bring a swimsuit and towel if you'd like to immerse. If not, you can participate by immersing fingers or toes.

RSVP to Reba at (845) 853-3569, or to Betsy Russell at bzrussell@gmail.com. If you are not carpooling, request Reba's physical address when you RSVP. Please bring a dish or beverage to share. And pif you are carpooling, please arrive promptly at the synagogue parking lot, as we’ll pull out right at 2:00 to arrive at Reba’s by 3:00 pm. Join us if you can, and have a chodesh tov - a good month!