What’s Behind Jewish Beauty?

Last month, our staff discussed potential topics surrounding Jewish women and beauty, and everyone yelled out possibilities: “Nose jobs!” “Botox!” “Moms who overfeed!” But these were topics that many of us had already heard plenty about, so we dug deeper. We began wondering whether Jewish beauty has changed over time, whether it’s different in Israel than in America, why it sometimes feels like it’s the main focus at synagogue, and what to do when people claim “you don’t look Jewish.”
Enjoy the issue, and help us celebrate 614’s one-year anniversary by filling out a quick survey to make our ezine even better.

Michelle Cove, Editor, mcove@brandeis.edu

In This Issue

• From the Kibbutz to Barbie

  How the model for Israeli beauty has morphed over the decades and come to look a whole lot like American beauty.

• A Girl, Her Shoes, and a Place of Worship

  When synagogue becomes more “house of fashion” than “house of worship.”

• “You Don’t Look Jewish!”

  Why those four words can be so hurtful, and how to handle it when you hear them.

• Does Beautiful Equal Good?

  The Bible and much of Western culture have equated beauty with goodness—not much different than today.

• Should Jewish Women Look Frumpy or Hot?

  Go back to the Bible and you’ll see that Jewish beauty was powerful, enticing, and downright dangerous.