Channel Two's investigative program, 360, broadcast a report about what they called the —œTaliban women.— Yifat Erlich (of Megeirot fame—she's graduated from Makor Rishon newspaper to TV) went undercover to infiltrate the group and interview their leader, Malka Benizri. The report claims that … [Read more...]
A View from Sweden: Covering as a Health Risk for Girls and Women
February 1, 2011 by
This comment came to me from Maria Gellert, a Swedish reader, in response to The Problem with Putting Veils on Little Girls. I also found this article from Scientific American outlining the issues surrounding autism and Vitamin D (link no longer active). If the theory that lack of Vitamin is … [Read more...]
The Problem with Putting Veils on Little Girls
January 24, 2011 by
The pictures of the family from Beit Shemesh wearing veils has disturbed me for several weeks. We can debate about whether this is in the spirit of the Torah. Or whether it threatens Orthodox Judaism, Israel, or women everywhere. But the most pressing issue involves the young girls in these … [Read more...]
Are Burka Ladies a Threat to Mainstream Orthodox Women?
January 17, 2011 by
This is a response to a discussion on the Face-Covering Jewish Women from Beit Shemesh on a private Orthodox Jewish forum. The poster, —œCapital Chick— from Canada, gave permission to post. I have edited it slightly. Capital Chick is responding to forum members who argue that this is none of our … [Read more...]
Face-Covering Families in Beit Shemesh: A Destructive Cult?
January 7, 2011 by
These pictures, from Nahar Hayarden Street in Beit Shemesh, were posted on Rotter.net. The youngest one looks about four years old. They are covered from head to toe in black, except for the youngest who enjoys a red, white and blue print with a blue head-covering. The girls from this group, which … [Read more...]
Cashier Denied Employment in Haredi Supermarket Because of Wig
December 25, 2010 by
A few days ago the haredi internet forum Behadrei Haredim reported on a Chabad woman who lost her job as a cashier in a haredi supermarket, because she wore a wig instead of a scarf or snood. As I've mentioned several times, the "hyper-tzniut" movement discourages wigs. Women are frequently … [Read more...]
Extreme Breastfeeding, Extreme Modesty and More
December 14, 2010 by
I've collected these links for your reading enjoyment: Almost Eden gives tips for keeping warm in the Israeli winter. Rafi reports about a wedding invitation asking women to dress in “shalim.” Leah Goodman wrote a guest post on making recipes vegetarian or kosher. The government is making … [Read more...]
With a Mother-in-Law Like This, Who Needs Enemies?
December 11, 2010 by
The letter below appeared in yesterday's edition of the alon Giluy Daat in a column called gilui lev (confession or revelation). My children tell me the letter isn’t typical for this column — most are thank-yous and the like. But if it’s at all typical of the way parents in the religious community … [Read more...]
Parshablog on “Levels” of Tzniut (Modesty)
September 26, 2010 by
This appeared on Rabbi Josh Waxman's site, Parshablog: Mother In Israel on a sign urging modest dress in Petach Tikvah, and why it bothers her. One misguided (IMHO) commenter advises: "Don’t feel threatened if you feel that you do your best in your modesty level (for the time being). It’s … [Read more...]
Sign Urging Modest Dress in Central Petach Tikva
September 12, 2010 by
One of the things I love about Petach Tikva is its diversity. We have rich, poor, Russians, Ethiopians, Anglos, religious and secular. Even a few Christians and Arabs. So I don't quite know what to think about this sign posted on Herzl Street near the center of town, on an abandoned building just … [Read more...]
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