Then came the bagel:
"I love how you look so stylish for a frum (observant) person, that's not usually the case," she tells me.
I could definitely name several things about my appearance that morning I was unhappy with, but I still appreciated the compliment.
Even better than unexpected compliments are unexpected compliments that lead to a whole conversation about orthodoxy, women in Judaism, women of other religions, oppression of women in the world.
I mentioned how even my loudmouthed, attention-seeking self isn't bothered by not being able to lead prayers, read from the torah, or any other public synagogue position. Even more I'm glad no one interrupts my prayer in synagogue to ask if I want an honor during the services. How do you men deal with that? It's so annoying!
We heard each other. Looking presentable or (even better) good can be a kiddush Hashem (elevation of G-d's name). A woman can be frum, well dressed, out going, normal and balanced and fit into a regular religious community. And observant or not, we are lucky to have the freedoms we have to be ourselves. Ok, so I try to be myself only better since there is always room for improvement.
I had an interesting encounter the other day. A jogger with a doggie passed by while I was walking with the children. We exchanged the usual neighborly hellos that makes me proud to live OOT (Out of Town). The kids started jabbering about the dog and she turned back and asked if we wanted to pet him.
Then came the bagel:
"I love how you look so stylish for a frum (observant) person, that's not usually the case," she tells me.
I could definitely name several things about my appearance that morning I was unhappy with, but I still appreciated the compliment.
Even better than unexpected compliments are unexpected compliments that lead to a whole conversation about orthodoxy, women in Judaism, women of other religions, oppression of women in the world.
I mentioned how even my loudmouthed, attention-seeking self isn't bothered by not being able to lead prayers, read from the torah, or any other public synagogue position. Even more I'm glad no one interrupts my prayer in synagogue to ask if I want an honor during the services. How do you men deal with that? It's so annoying!
We heard each other. Looking presentable or (even better) good can be a kiddush Hashem (elevation of G-d's name). A woman can be frum, well dressed, out going, normal and balanced and fit into a regular religious community. And observant or not, we are lucky to have the freedoms we have to be ourselves. Ok, so I try to be myself only better since there is always room for improvement.
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