Dear Jew in the City- Should a rabbi meddle into someone else’s personal life? Thank you, R.B. Dear R.B.- Thanks for your question. First, let’s clarify what you mean by a “rabbi.” In the Orthodox community, becoming a rabbi is not the same as becoming a priest in Catholicism. In many ways, it’s more like […]
Understanding the Dress Codes of Orthodox Jewish Women and Their Diverse Interpretations One of the most talked-about aspects of the show Unorthodox is the clothing, which shapes lead character Esty’s story from beginning to end. The show’s costume designer Justine Seymour spent hours on meticulous research, including a week-long stint within the Satmar community in […]
Religious Jewish fathers don’t get a very positive portrayal in the media. On the side of fiction, there’s Tevye, from Fiddler on the Roof, who is strict and expects his family to obey him. There’s Shulem from Shtisel, who tries to limit his son Akiva and his dreams of being an artist. And then there’s […]
“Our community in Newton, MA has provided unbelievable support for Ken and I and our family through five years of ups and downs, staying away from sharing their transportation woes with me at kiddush, and feeding Ken and I through those first six weeks as Secretary when 108 inches of snow fell, almost none of […]
Coronavirus has taken a toll the world over, from death, to illness, to economic upheaval, to job loss, to mental health challenges. There is almost no one who has not felt its negative effects. In a time when everyone is desperate for good news, some Satmar Hasidim in Blooming Grove, a small village in upstate […]
Dear Jew in the City- Now that the summer is here, I have a question. Is it proper for an Orthodox Jewish married woman to wear sandals/open-toed shoes in public? Thanks, JJ Dear JJ- Thanks for your question, though I’m not sure where marital status enters into it. (The only law of modesty that hinges […]
