Who built the Hutman Mikvah Center?

Our facility was built with incredible care by Trademark Builders and Developers in Royal Oak, Michigan. The company’s President, Brian McAndrews, is one of our project’s greatest heroes for his respect and dedication in bringing our dream to life. Likewise, Julia Weinberg of Julia Robin Interiors provided our stunning design selections.

What are the hours of the Hutman Mikvah Center?

The Hutman Mikvah Center is open every day as follows:

Winter appointments (October - May): Bookings available 7:00pm – 9:00pm.

Summer appointments (April - September): Bookings available starting ~30 minutes before zman tevilah.

Shabbat / Yom Tov appointments: Bookings available starting ~15 minutes after sunset.

Motzei Shabbat / Yom Tov appointments: Bookings available starting ~45 minutes after zman tevilah.

Who does the Hutman Mikvah Center serve?

The Rottenstein Women’s Mikvah is solely for married, adult Jewish women to observe the laws of family purity, or taharat hamishpacha. It is not available for conversions.

We are committed to broadening the halachic observance of taharat hamishpacha, and we openly welcome married Jewish women who have not previously observed the mitzvah or who are looking to reignite their observance. 

The Roni Eshel Keilim Mikvah is available to the Jewish community to meet the need for toveling of cookware, bakeware and servingware as halachically required. We are committed to maintaining an elevated level of cleanliness, and ask for cooperation from users of the keilim mikvah.  

Who are the Rabbinic authorities overseeing the Mikvah?

Our facility was built under the halakhic guidance of internationally recognized mikvah experts: Rabbi Yitzchok Trieger, Rabbi Aron Breuer and Rabbi Gershon Grossbaum. We continue to receive joint halakhic operational oversight from Rabbi Gershon Steinmetz, Rosh Yeshiva – Lubavitch Yeshiva and Rabbi Yechiel Morris, Young Israel Southfield.

Are you a non-profit? What is your tax ID number?

Yes! Our EIN is 82-2713014. We’re listed with the IRS as Lahser Road Mikvah, Inc. D/B/A Hutman Mikvah Center.

Does the Mikvah have a lost and found?

Yes, the mikvah will hold onto items that are left behind for up to one month. After that all items are considered hefker and will be sold; the value of the items will be donated to the mikvah. 

To claim an item left in the Rottenstein Women’s Mikvah, ask the receptionist about your lost item during regular mikvah hours and she will return it to you upon description. 

For items left at the Roni Eshel Keilim Mikvah, or for urgent items left at the Rottenstein Women’s Mikvah, email hutmanmikvah@gmail.com to arrange a time to retrieve your items.

Is the Hutman Mikvah Center Safe?

We have a sophisticated alarm/panic button system that is connected to the city’s first responders. In addition, we maintain lights and cameras on the site. On Shabbat and Yom Tov evenings, Jewish Federation security will include the Hutman Mikvah Center on their neighborhood driving route. We will continue to enhance our security system as we identify any concerns or risks.   

Rottenstein Women’s Mikvah

My desired appointment time was unavailable. Can I walk-in?

We do not take walk-in appointments, but you can call the mikvah any time at 248-281-4943. Last minute appointments can only be made through our Mikvah Director, Carrie Husarsky.

What is chafifa?

Chafifa is the term for the preparations that must be done before Tevilah, dunking in the mikvah. Chafifa is an integral part of the mitzvah.

What is the process for chafifa?

The following checklist serves as a guideline for chafifa. I have:

• Soaked for proper amount of time

• Washed my hair with warm water and shampoo

• Combed the hair on my head or separated my hair with my fingers to ensure there are no knots

• Bathed my entire body – paying attention to elbows, knees, spaces between fingers and toes, and the back

• Cleaned my breast nipples and areola paying careful attention to creases especially if I am nursing, naval, washed genital areas (also internally)

• Soaked or removed scabs, and smoothed hard skin

• Cleaned my nose, ears, earring holes, eyes, eyebrows and lashes

• Cleaned my teeth with toothbrush, toothpick or floss

• Removed any body hair that is generally removed (ideally not on the day of immersion)

• Cut and filed my nails and removed nail polish (unless the polish is unchipped, in which case it does not need to be removed, subject to your rabbi’s guidance)

• Removed makeup, band-aids and patches, and checked for adhesive

• Removed all jewelry, glasses, lenses, false teeth, hearing aids

• Washed my hair again with water immediately prior to immersion

• Used the bathroom

• Checked my entire body

What is the process for Tevilah?

When you are finished chafifa, you will ring the attendant via an indicator in your preparation room. The attendant will come to get you to escort you to the mikvah. During tevilah, the water is supposed to reach all parts of your body. Hands should be relaxed and open. Eyes and lips should be gently closed. Due to the holiness of the mikvah waters, the accepted practice is to not shower post-tevilah at the mikvah.   

How does mikvah preparation differ for Shabbat or Yom Tov?

All mikvah preparations should be done on Friday or erev Yom Tov (this includes for Second Day Yom Tov or Shabbat that follows Yom Tov), prior to candle lighting. You should finish bathing, combing hair, cutting nails, and be sure to remove all makeup and nail polish before Shabbat/Yom Tov begins. The attendant will meet you at the mikvah about fifteen minutes after zman tevilah, which will be the only appointment time available for that evening. 

In the preparation room, after removing all jewelry, contact lenses, false teeth, and glasses, you will be able to indicate your readiness with a shomer shabbat dial in your room. There is no shower immediately before immersion on Friday night and Yom Tov. Instead, you should dunk one extra time before making the bracha.

During tevilah, the water is supposed to reach all parts of your body. Hands should be relaxed and open. Eyes and lips should be gently closed.  

After Tevilah on Shabbat or Yom Tov, please be careful when drying off after using the mikvah, as wringing out one’s hair and towel are not allowed.

Roni Eshel Keilim Mikvah

The Roni Eshel Keilim Mikvah will open in late 2025. The FAQ’s below will pertain to the keilim mikvah once it is opened.

What are the hours of the keilim mikvah?

The keilim mikvah is available during the day, Sunday through Thursday from 7AM to 5PM.

How do I gain access to the keilim mikvah?

There is a number pad on the door that will work only during operating hours (TBD).

Is there a fee to use the keilim mikvah?

There are significant operating expenses to maintain the keilim mikvah, and we expect that its users will donate to offset the cost of maintenance. We recommend $36 per use, but if you just have a bissele to toivel, perhaps $18 is more fitting. If you have a gantser, it would be nice if you gave $72. To donate, you can scan the QR code in the keilim mikvah or donate here.

Is the keilim mikvah clean?

We pride ourselves on maintaining a pristine environment. The water in the mikvah is filtered and chlorinated during hours it is not used. We are also employing a “pack out” policy that requires users to exit the keilim mikvah with all materials that are brought, including packaging, labels and wrapping materials. We kindly ask that you properly dispose of or recycle materials at your residence. We further kindly ask that you use the brooms and mops to clean up any broken materials or other messes for the next user.

Do you have equipment that will facilitate toveling?

Not only do we have baskets to immerse your goods for toveling, we also have 1) a rolling cart for you to bring your goods into the mikvah, and to remove your goods and garbage when you have finished toveling; and 2) scissors and materials to open packages and remove labels.

How will you ensure the mikvah is properly maintained?

The mikvah is regularly checked by our rabbinical authorities for halakhic compliance. As to cleanliness, while we will have weekly professional cleaning, we expect members of the community to “pack out” and leave the facility in pristine condition. We will maintain a video camera on site to ensure everyone cooperates in this effort,

Is there guidance available on toveling?

We will have the bracha available in the keilim mikvah, and guidance on toveling can be found on several websites, such as Star-K, Orthodox Union, and cRc.