Ever since an ultra-Orthodox Jew spat on 8-year-old Naama Margolese for dressing “immodestly”, Beit Shemesh can’t seem to get out of the news.Yet some women of Beit Shemesh, as the JPost reported two days ago, decided to dance the bad vibes away with a flash mob:
Dance organizer Miri Shalem said that the event was organized in protest of the violent extremist actions of “the group of crazies,” and to show that there is another side to Beit Shemesh. “Today the women and girls demonstrated our unity in public and I hope we will continue to do this in the future in order to improve our city,” she said.
The video came out today, and I find it particularly heart-warming. Religious and secular women, all “immodestly” dressed according to the ultra-Orthodox, showing them who wears the pants in this town.
January 8, 2012
6:57 am
I also found this heartwarming.
I couldn’t help but imagine a choreographed confrontation between these courageous ladies and the crazy “black-hats” – the “Jets vs. the Sharks”. It could be the “West Side Story” of Bet Shemesh.
January 8, 2012
10:24 am
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January 8, 2012
11:20 am
that’s so sweet, Shelly
. Jon Stewert once did something on West Bank Story. I love seeing the younger girls in this video along with the older secular(ish) and religious women; they’re fighting hate and fear with light. We could use a lot more of that. If we respond to extreme hate with anger, we’re meeting them on their level and contributing to that vibration in the world. I’m not suggesting it can or should all be silly, bad choreography, but somewhere in there is some deep wisdom, and they’re having fun, and instead of being afraid to walk to school, they’re free. Every angle of the conflict in this region could learn from them.
January 8, 2012
11:43 am
my brother just reminded me that this is Freddy Mercury. In Beit Shemesh. Awesome.
January 8, 2012
4:23 pm
I actually want to retract the snarky ‘bad choreography’ commentary. it’s a flash mob. y’all did a great job, and shined a light where there has not been any lately. thanks!
January 8, 2012
4:24 pm
better footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZd0kLWP01c
January 9, 2012
4:55 am
Cool! I probably know some of those people in the video, as I used to live in BS. I just hope the weather wasn’t as windy as it has been today and yesterday….Brrrrrrr!
January 9, 2012
1:15 pm
This is so ridiculous and stupid – how is it helping the girls to make the Chareidim think they’re even more immodest? Fight them on their own ground, you idiots! Find some halacha, tell them why they’re wrong.