Discover Jewish water stories
Explore a short Jewish text, story, or blessing about water. Through conversation and reflection, connect these sources with your own experiences of change, gratitude, and beginning again.
טבילה בטבעTevila b'Teva
Immersion in Nature
Jewish ritual, learning, and connection at the water's edge
Tevila means immersion; teva means nature. Tevila b'Teva brings Jewish ritual immersion to camps, retreats, and outdoor programs through water, music, creativity, and reflection. Participants explore a Jewish way to mark change, celebrate, or prepare for Shabbat—with the choice to immerse or participate from shore.
Bathing suits stay on. Immersion is always optional. No prior knowledge is needed.
What happens at Tevila b'Teva?
Picture your group gathering beside a lake, river, or ocean. We begin with a question, a song, or a Jewish text about water. Together, we explore what makes a moment worth marking and how a body of water can become a setting for ritual.
Participants might help shape the gathering space, learn a blessing, create art, or choose an intention. Those who wish may enter the water and briefly immerse their whole body beneath the surface. Others can sing, offer a blessing, observe, or remain at the water's edge.
The experience is shaped around your group, your setting, and the occasion—not a single prescribed way to participate.
What does this have to do with Mikvah?
A Mikvah is a gathering of water used for Jewish ritual immersion. It can be a purpose-built pool or safe and suitable natural water. Tevila b'Teva connects Jewish tradition with the waters already part of camp and retreat life.
A Jewish way to mark a meaningful moment
Some moments call for more than words: arriving at camp, preparing for Shabbat, completing a journey, or saying goodbye. Tevila b'Teva gives participants a physical, creative way to notice those transitions through Jewish ritual.
Water becomes more than a place to swim. It becomes a setting for exploring identity, tradition, and creativity.
How do we find Judaism in nature?
How can we feel Jewish in our bodies?
Ways we explore together
Shape a ritual space
Help create a temporary gathering space at the water's edge. Consider how boundaries, privacy, and thoughtful design can make a familiar outdoor place feel different—and help everyone know what to expect.
Make music and art
Learn a melody, write words for the moment, or create something to carry home. Music and art give participants more than one way to express what the experience means to them.
More than one way to participate
Bathing suits or other appropriate swim clothing are required, and entering the water is always optional. Participants can contribute through music, art, reflection, helping create the space, or simply being present. No one has to explain why they choose to stay on shore.
Outdoor programming depends on the site, weather, water conditions, and participants' needs. Planning includes appropriate water-safety arrangements, supervision, privacy, and clear roles for staff.
Tevila b'Teva Moments
“With care, creativity, and good planning, lakes, pools, beaches, rivers, and even backyards can become classrooms and sanctuaries for learning about Mikvah.”
Bring Tevila b'Teva to your community
Train your camp staff, bring a facilitated experience to your adult retreat, or get help developing a program for your community. We'll begin with your goals, your group, and the setting available to you.
Train Your Camp Staff
I train camp staff to create and facilitate meaningful outdoor immersion experiences for their campers. Training includes Jewish sources, creative activities, and practical guidance on planning, participant choice, privacy, and clear boundaries.
Bring Tevila b'Teva to Your Adult Retreat
Invite me to lead an outdoor Jewish ritual experience shaped around your retreat's themes and participants. Through Jewish texts, music, reflection, and optional immersion, we'll explore a meaningful way to mark change, celebrate, or prepare for Shabbat.
Learn at a Community Mikvah
Introduce your group to ritual immersion in an indoor setting, then explore how to adapt the learning for outdoor programming. Visits and demonstrations are arranged with the host Mikvah.
Program consultation
Develop an experience for your camp, retreat, or educational setting, with guidance on activities, Jewish sources, participation options, and planning questions.
Meet Naomi Malka
I'm a Jewish educator, writer, musician, and recovering perfectionist. I created Tevila b'Teva to bring Jewish ritual immersion outdoors, inviting people to mark change, celebrate, and connect with Jewish tradition through water.
My approach draws on 16 years directing a community Mikvah in Washington, DC and creating meaningful Jewish experiences in both synagogues and in nature. I'm the author ofBodies of Water: Mikvah and Ritual Immersions for a New Generation and creator of an award-winning youth program exploring body positivity through a Jewish lens.
I hold a master's in Sacred Music from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Whether through water, music, or text, I create joyful Jewish experiences where you're welcome to come as you are.
Questions About the Experience
Can Tevila b'Teva fulfill the halachic requirements for conversion to Judaism?publish
No, that's not what this program is designed to do.
Can it help deepen a sense of Jewish identity and belonging?
Yes, that's at the heart of the experience.
Let's plan an experience for your group
Tell me about your community, your location, and what you hope participants will experience. Include your preferred dates and whether you're interested in a facilitated program, staff training, or consultation. We can begin exploring possibilities even if you haven't identified a water site.