Modesty Blasé
I have been thinking about my tombstone. Every year, during these days surrounding Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur I get a little nervous. The words in the machzor make it… Read more »
What Will My Tombstone Say?
Author: Modesty Blasé
Modesty Blasé is an Orthodox Jewish housewife and mother in London. She has a Pesach kitchen and a Polish cleaner. Her skirts are long and she often sports a trendy baseball cap with a fake ponytail. But lately, Modesty has been having some doubts. This is her commentary. You can also read her at The Jerusalem Post's blog.
Language Au Pair
Modesty Blasé
Q. How many Beis Yakov girls does it take to change a light bulb? A. 100. One and 99 to say Tehillim. Women scuttle to each other’s homes during the… Read more »
Pink is the Word
Modesty Blasé
Frum women dangle. Their car keys, usually attached to photos of their children and grandchildren, their house keys, iPod, supermarket card and gym locker tokens are all hanging off them.… Read more »
Smart is Out, Mediocre is In
Modesty Blasé
“These clever girls,” a friend said to me the other day, “they’re taking it too far now. My son isn’t going to want such a clever one. It’s not going… Read more »
Jewish Spirituality
Modesty Blasé
The news that Spirituality for Kids, intimately and unashamedly connected to the Madonna-made-it-famous-and-I-want-a-red-string-too-Kabbalah Centre, has wormed its way into several London state schools has made the rabbis quite antsy. Perhaps… Read more »
Jewish Women and Netball
Modesty Blasé
Recent news that the Israeli netball team found glory in Ireland brought a warm glow to my face that I almost confused with the beginnings of a hot flush. A… Read more »
Miss Sheitel 2008
Modesty Blasé
News that two young Jewish women, Leah Green and Samantha Freedman are in the running for the Miss England title was apparently meant to make me feel proud. After all,… Read more »
The Playboy and the Pencil Case
Modesty Blasé
It was our turn to host Charlie, the school rabbit for the weekend. It died. Seeking to comfort my distressed children, we went to WH Smith, a large stationery shop… Read more »
Much to Learn from Frum Women
Modesty Blasé
Billed as the ‘largest kosher bakery in Europe,’ Mr. Baker is a great meeting spot, punkt in the heart of one of London’s main Jewish thoroughfares. Israeli taxi drivers, Polish… Read more »
What Is It with Religious Women and Sex and the City?
Modesty Blasé
There was a text on my phone the other day: “Come and see Sex and the City and raise money for underprivileged kids at the same time.” Hundreds of religious… Read more »