Remembering Robin Niman, a”h

IN MEMORY

Remembering Robin Niman, a”h

By Miriam Wolowick

Ayear ago, on Erev Shabbos, Chol Hamoed Sukkos, the world lost a giant. Robin Niman, a”h, was a larger than life personality packed into a tiny frame of a person. Robin defied the odds of what one person should have been able to accomplish on a daily basis. She was a proud and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an attentive friend. She was an incredibly talented therapist. She was a kallah teacher and mikvah attendant par excellence. She was a one of a kind mikvah manager, so much so that she was kept on even after moving to a different state. She was one of the most well-known mikvah consultant and trainer of mikvah attendants and kallah teachers, being called by mikvahs all over the world. She was truly one of a kind.

Robin was my friend, my mentor, and my role model. She was wise beyond her years, yet youthful and relatable. She was a goldmine of knowledge. She had a natural instinct for reading people and connecting to them. She had a great sense of humor. She was your biggest cheerleader. She encouraged you and showered you with praise. She taught you to look at people through a constant state of sensitivity and kindness. She made you a better person, plain and simple

I was lucky enough to meet Robin three-and-a-half years ago when she interviewed me for the job of running the Grove Street Mikvah. Little did I know then what that petite woman with a sparkle in her eyes and pompoms on her shoes would do for me. She took me under her wings and personally trained and guided me on a day-to-day basis, so that I could properly represent the mitzvah with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. Hashem gave me a rare gift in Robin.

Robin became involved in the mitzvah of mikvah at the tender age of 26. She spent years as a kallah teacher. Her knowledge and experience were unparalleled. Add to that amazing repertoire was a degree in social work and a career in counseling. She combined those worlds to create a space for herself in this world that I don’t think anyone else will ever fill in quite the same way.

She was a trailblazer in her field. She saw the struggle, the pain, the fear, the anxiety and knew that there were things she could do to help. She worked tirelessly to help make a difference. But she didn’t stop there. She shared her knowledge and expertise with so many so they too could make a difference. Robin understood what the women of today needed, and she was at the front lines fighting the good fight for the women of Klal Yisroel.

So much of what Robin did – between therapy and dealing with special mikvah cases – involved some of the most private and personal details of people’s lives that it stayed below the radar. I don’t think most people have any idea of the impact that Robin had on so many women.

On a simple and basic level, Robin taught us how customer service is of the utmost importance. Be polite and courteous. A smile and a warm welcome go a long way.

It’s not what you say, but how you say it. Your tone, your body language, and your facial reactions are all so important.

It is always imperative to be sensitive to people’s vulnerabilities and be aware of them.

Be respectful of women, their privacy, and their personal space.

The Grove Street Mikvah is a special place. Robin took the most beautiful, state-of-the-art mikvah and transformed it into the most amazing facility of its kind by hiring and training the entire staff. We have all the luxuries, plus a professional and car-

Robin made it clear to us that we had a responsibility to the women of Klal Yisroel.

ing staff that go above and beyond. Robin made sure we knew that our main focus always has to be on the women coming to do the mitzvah and their experience.

One aspect that many women do not get involved in is policy. This was something that Robin took on with a force that was not to be believed. Robin spent hours and hours working with rabbanim to help create policies that were within the guidelines of halacha but also took into account the issues of today’s modern woman. How many women do you know that could sit and hold her own at a table of over 20 rabbanim? Robin did just that! She was well respected by rabbanim across the board because of her vast knowledge and understanding, her passion and concern and her no-nonsense approach.

Robin taught us that it is a privilege and an honor to work in a mikvah. Robin made it clear to us that we had a responsibility to the women of Klal Yisroel and that we could make a huge

difference for them.

Robin herself has helped hundreds of women, each with their own set of unique challenges. She made sure that each one got the personal and individualized experience they needed. In addition to that, she trained hundreds of others to help in just the same way.

And if all this was not amazing enough, Robin did all of this and more while battling a debilitating disease. She always put her own pain and exhaustion aside to help anyone in need. The doctors were astounded at what she was able to do while poison was literally running through her veins. I know personally that she sat through meetings and trainings after having had treatment that morning. She took phone calls from doctors’ offices and hospital beds. She came in to help with special cases when she could barely stand on her own two feet. Somehow, she always had time and energy for this mitzvah. Somehow it gave her supernatural strength and abilities. Even when I knew she was not doing well, I still asked her for help and to come in for special patients because that is what she lived for and there was no way that I would take away those zechusim from her. It was not until those last couple of weeks that she was physically not able to.

The truth is that everything that we all do, all those who were blessed to have been trained by Robin, is a direct result of her and what she taught us – they are all her zechusim.

Robin has created an army of trained women around the world who are carrying out her mission for her down here in this world. While none of us can ever fill Robin’s shoes, we will all try walking in her footsteps.

Robin, you are missed by many! We hope you are shepping nachas in seeing the fruits of your labor.