In the matter of tzniut, the first question is theological. Why were we fashioned with bodies – when the Creator could have made us of souls alone? What is the purpose of our physicality; what manifestation of holiness does the vessel, the kli, of our bodies make uniquely possible? I contemplate this question almost daily, […]
Behold, You Are Beautiful Read More »
One of the major dilemmas facing Jewish education today is the challenge of teaching tzniut – modesty. I believe that the study of Hasidism, although it may seem an unlikely source, can aid in our understanding of tzniut and help us develop a broader and more nuanced approach to teaching it in our schools. Most
When I lived in Cairo in 1993–1994, I became friends with Manal, a young Egyptian woman who worked in a nearby post office. Manal, the first woman of her lower income family to work outside the home, wore a plain white headscarf (hijab) pinned at her neck. She described her hijab as spiritual armor, which
Comparative Reflections on Modest Dress in Contemporary Judaism and Islam Read More »
A number of years ago, I had occasion to travel to Japan with a few friends. It was a wonderful opportunity and gave us a chance to experience firsthand a strikingly different culture from our own, as we encountered the combination of ultra-high modernity and Old World heritage for which the Japanese are famous. One
Exposing Tzniut: Reflections Towards a Redefinition of Modesty Read More »
Italy was the site of many early Bat Mitzvah ceremonies for girls in the 19th century. Since then, there have been traditions of Bat Mitzvahs in the synagogues of different Italian communities. We include a prayer on behalf of a Bat Mitzvah girl in the community of Florence. The Hebrew text is taken from the
From the Archives: Mi-sheberakh Prayer for Bat Mitzvah Girls in Florence Read More »
In her article in this Journal issue, Norma Baumel Joseph refers to Orthodox Bat Mitzvah ceremonies in Brooklyn in 1944. I followed up on the lead and found fascinating detailed descriptions by Rabbi Jerome Tov Feinstein of Congregation Anshe Emes in the October 1944 copy of “Orthodox Union,” one of the forerunners to “Jewish Action”,
From the Archives: The Bas Mitzvah Comes To Our Synagogue Read More »
The Initial Decision Two summers ago, four months before my Bat Mitzvah, I started thinking about a hesed project that I could do. I had three criteria in mind: I wanted to actually do something and not just contribute money, I wanted it to be a cause that I understood and felt was important, and
Emerging Voices: The Real Meaning of Bat Mitzvah Read More »
It was with great excitement and anticipation that my husband and I began planning for our daughter’s Bat Mitzvah celebration. Although specific aspects of the event were not yet determined, we were certain of a few things. First, our daughter’s reaching the age of mitzvot would not be marked by a party alone, but would
Mothers & Daughters Learning Together: Drisha’s Bat Mitzvah Program Read More »
Is this a familiar story? A young woman studies for her Bat Mitzvah and does a wonderful job reading from the Torah and/or delivering a well-thought-out, interesting d’var Torah. Yet the next year, when you look around the synagogue, she is not there. After her time in the spotlight, she stops attending services and uses
Makom: Finding a Place for Our Growing Girls Read More »
When I was growing up in San Francisco, my parents made a simple kiddush in shul to celebrate my becoming a Bat Mitzvah. There were so few Orthodox families in our community that I had no real friends with whom to celebrate. As there were no boys in our family, I didn’t feel cheated in
From Generation to Generation: A Special Bonding Read More »
