Today was a very special day. It was my water day. I need water. In some deep spiritual sense. I have written about water before. Because I keep coming back to it, again and again and again.

So by design, yesterday we drove to Maine. One of my favorite places on earth. I started to tear up (more water) when I crossed into New Hampshire from Massachusetts. Yes. I was driving. Not a lot of tears. They were complicated. I realize how much I miss sitting on “my rock” in Maine, a place I run to to make life decisions. I realize how lucky I am to have a place like that rock. I realize that yes, we were right, the rock is still here.

When I finally turn the corner and can see the ocean for the first time, I let out an audible “oooooooo,” surprising my husband. “You knew it was there. Why are you surprised.” Because after the rain (more water) of yesterday it looked so beautiful, so pristine, so calm. Words fail.

We drove to the lighthouse. We climbed on the rocks (note to self, next year…no skirt!). We managed to get lower to the water than I usually dare to go. We took photographs. How many years of photos do you think we have? We sat quietly. I allowed the feelings to wash over me (more water). We ate lunch including fresh Maine blueberry pie. There is nothing like this.

Then we drove back to Boston. Back to obligations. Back to friends and an important fundraiser for Mayyim Hayyim.

Mayyim Hayyim is the community mikveh in Boston. It is a world class Jewish institution. I know that because last night they said they have had visitors in their 10 years from 47 states and 21 countries. Actually I know that because I have been there. It is an integral part of my life. You know that from reading this blog. How many times have I written about Mayyim Hayyim. You know about the water. You know how the water renews and revitalizes, refreshes and readies. You know how it cleanses and heals. You know how I believe Mayyim Hayyim saved my life. It is all about the water. And the water itself is not magical. It is holy. Set apart, made special. The place is holy too. Set apart, made special. So that each guest feels welcome, comfortable, safe, important.

Mayyim Hayyim is my go to example for a Jewish institution that works. Day in and day out. It welcomes everyone. It knows how to do this. In just 10 years it has hosted over 12,000 immersions and taught 25,000 people. Last night they announced that they had retired the mortgage. In just 10 years. So they are now on healthy financial footing. I am proud of Mayyim Hayyim and all they have accomplished–for me, for the Jewish community as a whole. I am proud of my continuing association with Mayyim Hayyim–even from a distance.

My soul has been fed by the waters–the waters of Maine and the waters of Mayyim Hayyim.

So water is important. But what if you don’t have access to water. Africa has exactly this problem. Sitting in the travel doctor’s office last week, reading Good Housekeeping, I read a story about Mary Jordan, who went to Africa to make a movie and got sick. Really, really sick. She was lucky. She survived. And she is turned her survival into an opportunity to make all aware of the need for access to clean water by painting the water towers of New York: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/inspirational-people/water-tank-project

My friend Kimberly Fogg from high school has another approach. She is the founder of Global Sustainable Partnerships (GSP), an NGO in Tanzania and a 501(c)(3) corporation certified by the Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST). She is bringing clean drinking water to Tanzania by transferring knowledge and skills necessary to do. They just picked up a big grant from Bristol Meyers Squibb. www.gspartnerships.org. I am proud of the work Kim does as well.

American Jewish World Service is taking a rights based approach to development and aid. They believe, correctly so that in order to solve poverty, violence against women, girls and the LGBT community has to stop.

As my week in Boston reminds me. People need access to water. It is a right. Wars have been fought over it. Arguments about rights to wells are all too common in developing countries. For me, I need water to restore my soul, my very being.