“We need to talk about Beit Shemesh” [Sh’ma]
In this article from Sh’ma, Laura Frank explores the connections between true modesty (an ambiguous idea) and the misogyny of many ultra-Orthodox Jews. Can a balance between inner and outer appearance, and the implications of “legislating” dress as a form of social control, be reached?
“As a feminist, I see all too plainly how this group of Haredi extremists has used Jewish law as an excuse to legislate misogyny. I felt I had to share with my students my thoughts that a man who claims that 8-year-old girls must dress modestly because he is ‘a healthy man’ is normalizing pedophilia; he is saying that even a prepubescent girl has no identity other than as a sexual being. And while, as an Orthodox Jew, I believe ardently in the Jewish value of modesty in behavior and dress for men and women, would I be able to articulate where modesty ends and misogyny begins?”
Ignoring the Charedim? [Haaretz]
In a conversation with TheMarker recently, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “If you leave the Arabs and the ultra-Orthodox out of inequality indexes, we’re in great shape.” But is that a reasonable expectation? And can such a large exclusion paint an honest picture of the country’s state of affairs? In this article from Haaretz, the implications are explored. (Spoiler alert: it’s not a good idea.)
“Netanyahu is a full partner in letting the ultra-Orthodox avoid studying the core curriculum, which is a key cause of unemployment. He can claim that ‘the extra 15,000 building starts aren’t for the ultra-Orthodox, they’re for everybody,’ but the truth is different.
There are many planks in the government’s contribution in creating ‘problematic populations’: a clause stipulating number of years married as a main criterion for subsidizing housing, Housing and Construction Minister Ariel Atias’ decision that 45 percent of the apartments be allocated to families with three or more children, and the refusal to add a requirement ensuring that applicants are fully employed.”
Rosenberg leaving Media Matters [JTA]
After being called out for critical statements about Israel, MJ Rosenberg (originally a part of Media Matters) has decided to move to his own blog. JTA reports:
“‘I have no doubt that the crowd that opposes any and all criticism of Israeli government policies will continue to turn its guns on Media Matters if I am associated with it,” he continued. “I could not live with myself if that happened — not only because I care deeply about the organization and my colleagues, but also because Media Matters does such important work confronting the lies that emanate from the far right and especially Fox News.’
The use of the term ‘Israel firster’ by Rosenberg and a staffer for the Center for American Progress drew fire after an article in Politico suggested that pro-Israel groups saw both entities as posing dangers to traditional support for Israel among Democrats.”
Kosher for Passover Coca-Cola not kosher for California [Jerusalem Post]
Live in California? Looking for some Passover-kosher Cola? It may be harder than you think. The Jerusalem Post reports:
“Coke was required to change the way it manufactures caramel due to the high levels of the chemical 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MEI, which California has listed as a carcinogen under its new guidelines. The manufacturing changes in California affected the kosher for Passover status of the cola, according to reports.
The company expects to offer the Kosher for Passover variety of Coca Cola in California by 2013, the newspaper reported citing the company spokesman.”
