Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Happy new year

The Jewish new year begins tonight, so Shana Tova everyone. This is what my new year dinner looked like three years ago, and it will probably be very similar this year. My mother really is remarkable!

I thought this might be a suitable time of year to describe the particular style of clothing which I wear when I go to synagogue (I attend an Orthodox service), as well as the specific modesty requirements of very observant Jewish women. It's expected that women in my synagogue will wear skirts or dresses (preferably at or below the knee) and generally nothing too revealing (no sleeveless tops).

During my High School years I had several Lubavitch friends who followed very strict rules concerning their clothing. They wore only skirts, and all well below the knee, opaque stockings, and shirts with sleeves past the elbow and buttoned to the neck. This is easy to do in winter, but try doing that through the Sydney summer... it's a challenge.

The Rabbi and Rebbetzin of my synagogue have three daughters (now young women) who are all incredibly beautiful and very style-conscious. It never ceases to amaze me when I see them in synagogue how they manage to manipulate their dresses so as to fulfill both the religious and the style requirements. There is something breathtakingly sexy about a young woman who is dressed in a gorgeous, and yet HIGHLY modest manner. Really there is.

In any case, if I get a chance to chat with them tomorrow (in synagogue... it's not like church... nobody's quiet) I shall ask them if they follow any "frum" style blogs. I tried googling, but it seems I don't really know the key words to use. The best I could come up with is this, which shows you the types of skirts many religious women wear... and which leads straight back to the Man Repeller. Yes. It. Does.

I realised that the Man Repeller was Jewish when I saw several Jewish texts on a bookshelf in one of her videos. Then she mentioned on another video that "My Jewish parents are in the other room and will kill me when they find out that I have a film crew in my bedroom... and it's Saturday morning" (the Jewish Sabbath). Then I read this, and it made me jump up and down and clap gleefully. Because I have had exactly the same reaction to seeing the popularity of the "maxi skirt" this season - "Look at all those models looking like they're frum."

Shana tova everyone!

E x

8 comments:

Paola said...

Shana Tova to you!

Duyvken said...

Lovely post! I live in a neighbourhood that has strong jewish elements and an orthodox community as well as a more liberal group. I love to see what everyone wear as they walk to shul. Of course, the more liberal peeps are in their cars so I don't see their outfits but the observant families walking have some wickedly gorgeous outfits. Is it 'frum' style to wear the hair covered as well? I am totally jealous of the way those women can wrap scarves around their heads! They always look fab. If you know the trick you must teach me. I often try and look like I've just escaped from a christian sect. Not really the look I was shooting for. PS I just sent you a txt and then checked your blog to see this lovely post. Shana tova to you dear girl!

blackbird said...

Happy New Year, beautiful Eleanor!

Mary said...

Shana Tova darling.

when I move down at the end of the year I would love to learn more from you about Jewish rituals and customs.

x

RW said...

Oh.
Happy New Year Eleanor.

Julia said...

Happy New Year Eleanor!!

Jeanette Nord said...

A very happy New Year to you my friend and thanks for a great post. You made me laugh and I needed that badly since I am home in bed with the cold from hell!

Rae said...

I remember squirming with empathy over the religious women and their polyester long sleeves in Jerusalem on a very hot day. Ack.

On the other hand, I have *often* been mistaken for a Brezlov wife because of my long hippie skirts and scarves, not to mention my many young children. Have I ever told you that Lubavitch and Brezlov have houses set up in all the places we tend to live?

But I hope that doesn't mean I'm frum. :)

Shana Tova, dear, dear Eleanor! Wish I could join you at your feast!