Reflections

Reflections HOW TO BEAT THE HEAT DIY NAIL ART

YOUR SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE FIND OUT WHAT GUYS REALLY THINK OF THE WAY YOU DRESS

EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

ISSUE NO. 2

ARE YOU A HIPSTER?

SUMMER EDITION

CONTENTS

8 A CONTROVERSIAL COLOR

10 MAYIM BIALIK INTERVIEW

23 FASHION INDUSTRY

27 HIPSTER OR CHASSID?

36 SEM GIRL WEARS

39 INSTAGLAM

4

12 HERE COMES THE SUN

32 SUMMER IN THE CITY

44 BLUE EYED BEAUTY

Letter From The

Editors

reflecting t u o h t i w g n “ Readi digesting ” t u o h t i w g in is like eat

to your best friend h it w s n la p e ak um f summer and yo o ay d t rs fi e th t’s ay at the beach. at do I wear?” d h g “W in : x n la o ti re es a u d q spen ting ced with a daun course we all fa f e O ’r u a. yo m , ly em il te d ia is Immed ith th ere are ways t the only one w th o , n er e ’r ev u ow yo h ; y, d rr o o ok go Don’t w ot to mention, lo n esty. , d an ch ea b e th the laws of mod g n si is m is d ly want to fit in at te out comple you going to be h it re w A f. th o el b rs g u in yo sh within of accompli u be ment to reflect o m a e k ta noticed, or will yo e to b is to g n ti ai w The trick ch ed girls at the bea ss re d fal h se o th one of ing the balance looking classy? d t in u o F . s d ce n an st la a at b t th abou the one mer diet, it’s all to overexpose m d u ee -s n re t p n’ o r d u u yo o e Y ate.

Just lik what is appropri dot bikini, but d aan lk o , p h is ow yl ll st ye is at th between what od time! So wear go a e av h to er rd e go along with it. your body in o to p ru ve co te you through thes cu e at id th gu y p u el b h to l il et w ctions don’t forg e embodies, you er edition of Refle in m az m ag su m r r u u o o y ll at u th Hopef alize the message rn te in u yo If s. n . tough decisio summer head-on e th ce fa to ed will be prepar g summer!

Have an amazin

I

XOXO Gitty & Shoshana Reply To: d@yula.org shoshanafren @yula.org ro pi ha devorahs

CONTRIBUTORS SUMMER 2013

GITTY SHAPIRO

SHOSHANA FREND

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

STAFF ADVISOR

DEENA FELSENTHAL

MRS. SHIRA HERSHOFF

SHOSHANA FREND

LAYOUT ASSISTANT

ANNA GORDON

HADAR ABUKRAT

KIMIA KAVOSH

MICHELLE NAIM SARAH LIPMAN SARAH ROSEN GITTY SHAPIRO

FASHION COORDINATOR

NACHOMA LEVINE

SARAH-LEAH THOMPSON

SARAH ROSEN

NIKKIE MASHIAN

SHAILY YASHAR

MODELS

COVER CREDITS

DANIELLA AZIZI

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHOSHANA FREND

TAHLI COHENCA

HAIR & MAKEUP: SARAH ROSEN & JASMINE GOLBARI

SHOSHI GOFMAN ELIANA GROSS

BETHIA GINDI SARIT MAFOUDA YAEL NISSANOFF

MODEL: SHOSHI GOFMAN

PRINTING

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Sharp Printing

SHOSHANA FREND & KIMIA KAVOSH

1619 South Robertson Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90035

6

Photography By: Shoshana Frend

8

A Controversial Color By: Shaily Yashar

!

For example, if one were to visit Bnei Brak wearing a bright red dress, he or she would not fit in comfortably because of the population’s quiet, suppressed way of dressing. But in LA, where bright colors are the norm, it would be deemed appropriate. However, this halacha does not mean that we should always follow society’s standards of dress. We still need to keep modesty in mind, whether or not the rest of society shares this value. No matter where we are, we are still required to adhere to the basic laws of tzniut (elbows, knees, collarbone).

But at the end of the day, it’s not about the color or length of your dress; it’s about being honest with yourself and asking the following question: “Why am I wearing this? Do I feel the need to call attention to myself, or do I honestly think that this dress will enhance the way others perceive me?” Just remember, it’s the thoughts behind your actions that matter most.

Red is a popular color in today’s fashion.

People can be seen wearing red everywhere, from the runways to the red carpet. In the times of Constantine, church officials wore red. Even today cardinals can be seen wearing this significant hue. That is among the many reasons why Jewish women wearing red may be questioned and frowned upon. Red has always been associated with strong sentiments or images of hate, blood, fire, and passion. Even in flags, red often stands for bloodshed of the founders or the partisans. From a modern psychological and medical approach, it has been shown that this taboo color on women creates particular chemical reactions by the onlooker.

Aside from a secular perspective, there are also religious reasons to question the appropriateness of wearing bright, attracting colors. It is said that the way a person dresses should depend somewhat on their surrounding atmosphere.

9

Exclusive Interview with Mayim Bialik !!!!!Y !!!!!ou!may!recognize!her!as!the!star!of!NBC’s!former!hit!series!Blossom,!or! perhaps!as!Amy!Farrah!Fowler!from!The!Big!Bang!Theory,!but!to!her!friends! and!family!she!is!simply!Mayim!Bialik.!The!thing!is,!there!is!really!nothing! simple!about!her.!Juggling!two!kids,!an!acting!career,!and!maintaining!a! strong!Jewish!identity!is!no!easy!feat,!but!somehow!she!handles!it!with!style.!

We!asked!Ms.!Bialik!about!her!take!on!modesty,!and!here’s!what!she!said:

10

Reflections:!You!are!well!known!for!your!

R:!As!teenagers!who!love!to!shop!and!look!trendy,!

Mayim/Bialik:!I!studied!tznius!with!my!Torah!

MB:!I!try!and!go!to!"regular"!stores!and!make!it!

adherence!to!laws!of!modest!dress.!What!in!your! background!made!that!a!priority!for!you?!Was! there!a!religious!influence!in!your!life?

chevrusa!and!it!really!made!sense!to!me.!I!liked! the!notion!of!putting!safe!boundaries!around!what! people!see!of!you.!I!also!learned!a!lot!from! becoming!friends!with!The!Yeshiva!University!

Maccabeats!and!seeing!how!positive!it!can!be! when!men!also!guard!their!bodies!and!behavior.

R:!How!do!you!define!

tznius!and!how!do!you! apply!that!definition!to! your!career!both!in!dress! and!behavior?

MB:!Tznius!is!protecting!

parts!of!yourself!in!order!to! elevate!your!larger!spiritual! self.!In!dress,!that!means! (for!me)!setting!boundaries! around!my!body!parts,! wearing!skirts!to!the!knee! and!nothing!sleeveless.!I! also!don't!do!cleavage!or! show!those!parts!of!my! body!in!order!to!arouse!a! response.!In!behavior,!it! means!being!respectful,!not! using!profanity!(trying!hard! on!this!one!for!sure!),!and! not!doing!things!that!would! arouse!suspicion!or!scorn.

R:!Do!you!feel!that!the!role!you!play!on!The!Big!

Bang!Theory!(nerd)!makes!it!easier!to!both!dress! and!behave!in!a!modest!way?!

MB:!Ha!!Well,!on!TBBT,!each!character!sort!of!

has!one!style!of!dress.!So!once!Amy!(my!character)! started!wearing!skirts,!we!stuck!with!it!(with!my! encouragement)!!Amy!dresses!really!frumpy!and! they!made!a!point!to!dress!me!so!my!"curves"! don't!show.!That's!not!necessarily!how!I!define! tznius,!but!it!does!work!for!Amy!I!guess!!

we!struggle!to!find!appropriate!clothing,!where!do! you!shop/get!your!clothes!from?!Do!you!have!any! favorite!designers!or!stores?

work!and!tzniusUize!things.!I!always!wear!a! cardigan!or!jacket!over!all!sleeveless!options,!and!I! don't!go!into!jeans!stores!because!I!know!I!don't! need!jeans!except!for!the!two!pairs!I!have!that!I! wear!under!things.!Once!you!decide!to!dress! tznius,!it!becomes!easier!to!shop.!I!do!go!to!the!

Miss!Irene!store!on!

Robertson!for!tznius!shells.!

Those!are!great!to!have!in! basic!colors!so!I!can!always! have!sleeves!on!!Spring!and! summer!are!the!hardest! seasons!to!shop!and!dress! in.!Everyone!is!in!tank!tops! and!short!shorts!in!LA,!and!

I!sometimes!feel!"out!of!it,”! but!I!try!and!wear!fun! dresses!and!light!cardigans! so!I!don't!look!overdressed!!

I!also!wear!a!cool!tznius! bathing!suit!(I!love!

Hydrochic)!which!I!feel! really!good!in,!so!that's!a! must!have!for!me!!

R:!What!message!would!

you!give!to!our!Modern!

Orthodox!high!school!girls! who!live!in!the!heart!of!

Hollywood!and!to!a!certain! extent!take!their!cues!in! dress!and!lifestyle!from!celebrities!and!the!media?

MB:!Don't!!What!I!mean!is,!you!can!take!your!

cues!from!trends,!but!ultimately,!your!personality! should!shine!through!in!your!dress,!as!should!your! complexity!as!a!woman.!We!are!more!than!our! bodies!and!our!clothes!and!being!distinctive!is! important.!Being!funky!is!important.!And!leaving! a!bit!to!the!imagination!is!also!important;!I! implore!you!to!save!certain!parts!of!you!and!not! show!it!all!all!the!time!

HERE COMES THE SUN It is a known fact that summer is by far the hardest season to keep tzniut. Firstly, the hundred-degree weather makes it challenging to wear shirts that cover the elbow and skirts below the knee. Secondly, shopping for the summer season can be difficult because stores carry very little that meets the criteria of tzniut. But believe it or not, it can be done! In this photoshoot, you’ll see that it is indeed possible to pull off a cute and modest outfit without melting in the sun. Enjoy!

-Kimia Kavosh

Photography By: Shoshana Frend Hair & Makeup By: Sarah Rosen & Jasmine Golbari

Dress: GAP Shell: Kiki Riki

Jean Jacket: Marshalls Floral Skirt: Forever 21

Blouse: TopShop High-low Skirt: Miss Irene Shoes: Cathy Jean

Polka-dot Dress: Forever 21 Cardigan: Forever 21 Shoes: target

Celebrate Summer in Style!

Dresses Skirts Jeans Pencil Skirts Sweaters Trendy Tops Layering Shells

Enjoy the season’s newest colors!

310-788-9091 Shop the largest selection of trendy and chic modest fashions for women and teens in Los Angeles.

Full seminary skirts and blouse lines now available!

1521 S. Robertson Blvd.

Miss Irene Sizes: 00-22 Teen Irene Sizes: 6-18

Like us on facebook for our newest arrivals and promotions!

Hours: Sun: 10-6 / Mon.- Thurs: 10-6 Fri: 10-3

Revolutionizing the Fashion Industry By: Anna Gordon

From a very young age I have been taught the importance of dress. As a little girl, I noticed, and fell in love with, the beautiful dresses my favorite Disney princesses wore.

Naturally, growing up, I started to consider fashion design as a viable career. Then I asked myself, “How does fashion fit into a Jewish lifestyle? Is it really possible to be a part of the elite fashion world and keep the Jewish value of modesty at the same time?”

Fortunately, several inspiring women have found ways to overcome the obstacles that come with being a religious woman in the fashion industry. Hopefully aspiring fashion designers and fashion fanatics alike can learn from these role models as I have..

Marina Rahlin, creator of the MaRa fashion line, has spoken out about successfully merging Judaism with fashion. She became religious later in life, moved to the States from Israel to attend FIDM, and has managed to start her own modest clothing line. Women like her show that it is possible to overcome the barriers and design beautiful, modest clothing.

ModestMara

Rachel Lubchansky, another pioneer in modest Fashion, started an online clothing site called FunkyFrum. Lubchansky often talks about the challenges that frum girls have when it comes to fashion. She believes in “funky,” modern clothing that still follows the set Halachic guidelines.

Last but not least, Israeli designer, Miri Beilin, is a Chareidi woman who discovered her passion for fashion at a young age. When Beilin was a little girl she watched her mother create dresses on an old sewing machine and realized that she wanted to do the same. Although it was not an encouraged profession within the Chareidi community, she was able to make a career out of her love of designing. Beilin even teaches fashion design at Miryam College in Israel.

As you can see, these women have succeeded in looking trendy and glamorous, while still holding onto their core beliefs as Orthodox Jewish women. They are all excellent role models for religious girls who want to break into the fashion industry. Remember, being modest doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing style. Because what we wear matters so much, frum fashion designers have become essential to the Orthodox community. Will you be the next pioneer in frum Fashion?

Miri Beilin

By: Sarah-Leah Thompson

An#Interview#With#Karen#Michelle

With a mission to find clothing and accessories for stylish and modest women, Karen Michelle boutique leaves customers feeling great about their purchases.

We sat down with YULA graduate, Karen Michelle, to give our readers the inside scoop on the new it boutique.

Sarah%Leah(Thompson(:(As(a(teen,(did( you(ever(picture(yourself(in(the( business/fashion(industry?(Was(there( any(inspiration(growing(up(that(made( you(interested(in(it?( Karen(Michelle(:""No,"I"did"not."I’ve"always" loved"clothes"and"my"mother"always"took" me"shopping"with"her.

SLT(:(What(is(your(view(on(modesty,(and( how(does(it(translate(into(your( boutique?

KM(:""I"think"that"everybody"has"their"own" idea"of"what"Tzniut,"or"modesty,"means"to" them."I’m"very"respectful"because"I"believe" everyone"should"choose"their"own"paths"in"" life."For"example,"when"shopping"for"the" boutique,"we"pick"certain"blouses"and"

KM(:""My"biggest"challenge"since"the"

SLT(:(What(is(the(most(popular(item/

think,"‘how"would"it"look"when"it’s"layered"

beginning"is"how"to"balance"being"a"single"

items(you(sell?((Ex:(Maxi(skirt,(shells,(

or"when"it"isn’t"layered?"Would"somebody"

working"mom"and"a"woman"with"her"own"

jewelry,(leather(jacket)(

really"pick"this"if"they"had"to"wear"another"

business."I"lessen"the"challenge"by"always"

shirt"under"it?’"Certain"items"are"

making"time"for"my"private"life"so"that"it"

KM(: The"pencil"skirt"that"we"manufacture" is"handsLdown"one"of"our"best"items."Also,"

sleeveless;"but"again"whatever"level"you"

balances"everything"out."One"of"the"largest,"

the"layering"dress"that"we"manufacture,"

are"at,"or"whatever"ideas"you"have"about"

speciKic"business"challenges"I’ve"had"has"

and"two"brands"Olivaceous,and"Lovestitch;,

modesty,"you"can"either"wear"a"shell,"put"a"

been"how"to"promote"and"advertise"the"

everybody"loves"those.""

little"cardigan"over"it,"or"just"wear"it"

boutique"and"the"Karen,Michelle"basic"line"

sleeveless."Most"of"our"clothes"can"adjust"

of"clothing"L"our"skirts,"shells,"tank"tops"

SLT(:(What(advice(would(you(give(a(

to"be"worn""by"a"modest"women.

and"layering"dresses"that"we"manufacture"

religious(girl(who(is(trying(to(break(into(

"

right"here"in"Los"Angeles."I"overcome"this"

the(fashion(industry?

SLT(:(How(do(you(think(one(can(

challenge"with"excellent"customer"service."

KM(:""Do"what"you"love,"and"if"fashion"is"it,"

effectively(balance(modesty(and(style?(

We"have"a"great"buyer"stylist"on"site"and"

go"for"it."Work"in"a"store,"go"to"fashion"

KM(:""I"think"anybody"can"balance"modesty"

strong"quality"control,"because"we"do"a"lot"

school,"or"design"whatever"your"mind"

and"style."If"you"want"to"adhere"to"wearing"

of"the"manufacturing"in"LA.

thinks"of."And"know"that"if"you"are"doing"it,"

skirts,"you"can"buy"a"stylish"skirt."If"you"

it"must"be"right.

stay"within"the"right"colors"and"season,"

SLT(:(What(is(the(best(part(of(your(job?

and"just"wear"it"appropriately,"you"can"be"

KM(:""Being"with"all"the"people."From"

SLT(:(Do(you(have(any(tips(for(our(

very"stylish."Look"at"a"woman"like"Kate"

young"girls"to"adults,"women"from"the"

readers(on(how(to(‘beat(the(heat’(and(

Middleton,"for"example,"who"is"extremely"

community,"and"my"friends."The"reason"I"

still(stay(modest(throughout(the(

modest"and"whose"style"is"fabulous.

come"to"work"every"day"is"because"of"the"

summer?

wonderful"environment,"coLworkers,"and"

KM(:((Try"to"wear"light"fabrics"and"cotton.

SLT(:(What(is(the(greatest(challenge(

he"customers"here"at"the"boutique."

you’ve(had(to(face(in(the(business(and( how(did(you(overcome(it?

25

man ried F l anie e: D c r u So

nd

re aF

By:

n sha Sho

Hipst er or Chas sid?

You#may#have#seen# Jimmy#Kimmel’s#video#parody# 4tled#“Hipster#or#Chassid?”# featuring#beards#of#hipsters#and# Chassidic#Jews#alike,#but#believe#it#or#not,# that’s#not#all#they##have#in#common.##So# what#exactly#is#a#hipster#you#might#ask?# Hipsters#are#a#subculture#of#men#and#women# who#contradict#culture,#value#freeEthinking,#and#have# an#apprecia4on#for#art#and#indieErock.#Although# “hipsterism”#is#really#a#state#of#mind,#it#is#also#oGen# intertwined#with#dis4nct#fashion#tastes.#As#defined#by# Urban#Dic4onary,#hipsters#are#“A#mainstream#label# referring#to#people#who#reject#mainstream#labels.”#But# in#what#way#are#they#similar#to#Jews?#One#can#see#the# parallelism#between#Hipsters#and#Jews#in#the# following#commentary:#“The#Na4on#of#Israel#merited# redemp4on#from#the#land#of#Egypt#because#they#did# not#change#three#things.#The#manner#of#their#dress,# the#language#they#spoke,#and#the#names#of#their# children.#(Vayikra#32:5)”#Both#hipsters#and#Jews# believe#that#dress#is#a#symbol#of#their#iden4ty.#The# way#one#dresses#is#a#key#part#of#his#or#her#selfE iden4fica4on#with#a#social/religious#movement.#This#is# one#of#the#reasons#why#Judaism#focuses#so#much#on# the#issue#of#Tzniut.#Chassidim#are#especially#proud#of# the#way#they#dress.#Payot#carefully#curled,#they#walk#with#their# heads#held#high,#and#tzitzit#swaying#in#the#breeze.#Hipsters,#like# Jews,#have#a#unique#way#of#dressing.#They#tend#to#wear#vintage# inspired#dresses,#thick#rimmed#glasses,#and#are#oGen# associated#with#having#a#mustache#and/or#beard.#Hipsters# understand#that#as#long#as#they#feel#comfortable#in#their#own# skin,#that’s#all#that#ma]ers.#Our#forefather,#Avraham,# possessed#the#quali4es#of#a#hipster.#He#was#respected#for#being# different#from#his#surrounding#neighbors.

############### “And# Avraham# rose#up# from#before# his#deceased# and# spoke#to#the# sons#of# Chet#saying,#‘I# am#a#stranger# and#a#resident# within#your#society...’#And#the#sons#of#Chet# responded#to#Avraham#saying:#‘You#are#a#GE dly#prince#before#us...’#”#(Bereishit#23:3E4)# What#made#Avraham#so#admired#in#their#eyes# was#the#holy#way#in#which#he#presented# himself#in#contrast#to#the#rest#of#society.##In# the#immoral#place#he#lived,#Avraham#s4ll#managed#to# glorify#GEd’s#name#by#dressing#and#behaving#in#a# befidng#manner.#His#iden4ty#shined#through#in# the#way#he#presented#himself,#and#having#a# strong#iden4ty#is#what#Judaism#is#all#about.# If#the#sons#of#Chet#recognized#this# admirable#quality,#then#so#will#everyone# around#us.#So#the#next#4me#you’re#feeling# insecure#about#standing#out#or#looking# different,#just#remember,#you#too#are# a#GEdly#hipster.

A Guy’s Perspective On Modesty By: Gitty Shapiro & Shoshana Frend Have you ever wondered what guys really think of the way you dress?

Ever thought about what goes through their minds when you walk by in that uber tight pencil skirt? Well you're about to find out! We interviewed high school boys, from all different schools and religious backgrounds, and here's what they had to say:

REFLECTIONS: How do you feel about girls who purposely flaunt their bodies and how does it affect the way you perceive them?

YOSEF, SHALHEVET ’14: Guys are guys, and it’s a sad fact of life that most guys, religious or not, for or against tzniut, have a yetzer hara and would perceive the flaunting of the body as attractive or "hot". It is something that just takes time, maturity, and effort to see past.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: Anyone that looks like they're in such a hurry to give away something so valuable shows me that they don't value themselves. If they don't think they're worth talking to as a human being, how can I think differently? Looking at them is fine, but I'd have difficulty feeling close to them.

YONAH, YULA ’14: Parshas Kedoshim tells us “kedoshim tihyu ki kadosh ani Hashem Elokeiychem - You shall be holy, for I Hashem am holy.” The Jewish people are imbued with holiness and have certain responsibilities as a result of their unique status. The bottom line is that we are special - yes it’s okay to say it, and more importantly, it’s even okay to feel it and be proud of it! Part of being special requires acting in a “special” way. Flaunting our bodies, like objects for sale on a display table, doesn’t represent our special status. Drawing attention to our bodies in an inappropriate way cheapens us and by extension, diminishes our “specialness.” Every Jewish girl is a “Bat Melech”- princess- a daughter of Hashem. You are already special, and therefore there is no need to dress in a way that suggests you aren’t.

ANONYMOUS ’13: I see girls that flaunt their bodies fun for now, but never a keeper. Girls that respect themselves and their bodies will ultimately be respected.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: If girls purposely flaunt their body, I feel as if they want attention, and sometimes I'll give them that attention. LOL.

CHET, YULA ’14: I feel that these girls are very self conscious about how they're perceived by men, which in turn makes me less inclined to be close to them due to their lack of confidence in who they are.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: If she's doing it because it's the only way that she can get positive attention, then I will instantly lose respect for her.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’14: I find them more attractive and probably flirt with them more than the girls who dress “modestly,” but I respect them less than the modestly dressed girls.

ANONYMOUS, BHHS ’13: To be completely honest, it's always enjoyable to see a hot girl walking down the hall in flattering clothing, but it shows a lack of self-confidence when a girl thinks she needs to dress that way to be noticed.

REFLECTIONS: Do you think a girl

can be both modest and attractive at the same time?

YONAH, YULA ’14: The pasuk tells us that Sarah Imeninu was “Isha yefas mareh a woman of beautiful appearance.” Furthermore, when talking about Rachel Imeinu the Torah describes her as “yefas toar vayifas mareh - of beautiful form and appearance.” Sarah and Rachel were two of the most attractive women that ever lived! They didn’t only have such a reputation in the Jewish world, they were viewed this way in the non-Jewish world as well. Avimelech, one of the most powerful kings at the time, tried to take Sarah as a wife. Would such a powerful king of great stature choose someone ugly as a mate? I highly doubt it!

ANONYMOUS ’13: I LOVE TZNIUT GIRLS! I think girls that show off too much are disgusting, yet girls with long socks are too intimidating. The way a girl dresses says a lot about them.

CHET, YULA ’15: Yes, even though dressing immodestly undoubtedly arouses almost all boys, its not the only way of coming off attractive to a man. Guys will still notice your body and overall attractiveness even if you are dressed modestly.

REFLECTIONS: If you were able to make up the guidelines for modesty, what would they be?

YOSEF, SHALHEVET ’14: It is sad that people these days need to have guidelines on how to dress modestly. Sit down and think, if I am walking with G-d and I am a living representation of Him, shouldn’t I be modest for even Him alone, and not just for my surrounding neighbors?

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: I wouldn't want any guidelines for modesty. Everyone should be able to dress however they want. Expression, even in dress, is healthier than forced modesty.

ANONYMOUS ’13: I wouldn’t change a thing.

The Torah knows what it’s doing. But I think I would change the whole “Jewish girls wear black” thing; cover yourself with colors.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: If she was my daughter, I would have to say the guidelines for modesty would not be lenient.

CHET, YULA ’14: I would not put guidelines. I believe our culture is ever changing and putting specific limitations on clothing without any wiggle room is absurd. Dressing modestly is one's own image issue that they have to quarrel with individually.

REFLECTIONS: Do you think modesty is an important quality for girls to have?

ANONYMOUS, BHHS ’13: Having modesty is a quality that is discretely noticed by others, but at the same greatly appreciated and recognized.

ANONYMOUS ’13: I think modesty is very important because it covers all the important parts that only a husband should see, and allows the wandering eye not to stop on the woman's body.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: I think modesty shows a lot about one's personality. I don’t find it so important as of now, but maybe later I will when I am planning on getting married.

REFLECTIONS: In your opinion, what makes a girl modest?

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: Modesty is more about the way a girl carries herself than any particular mode of dress.

YONAH, YULA ’14: I think it’s important to define what the word tznius means. It does NOT mean look like a schlump or dress like people did in the 1800s. It does NOT mean to feel uncomfortable about oneself due to a lack of style. So what DOES it mean? Halacha gives us parameters of what dressing tzniusly means, but it’s essential to recognize the bigger picture as well. The word “modesty” is defined as “behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.” We are supposed to be an “ohr lagoyim - a light unto the other nations,” and must therefore act as living examples of what it means to respect one’s body. If we are honest with ourselves we will come to the realization that if people truly have self-respect, then they won’t walk around bare, exposing more skin than clothes. Nothing is wrong with having style or being attractive. In fact, the Gemara in Kiddushin teaches us that in order for two people to get married, they must have a physical attraction to each other! One shouldn’t create such an attraction via promiscuous or inappropriate behavior, but rather through acting appropriately and even fashionably, conducting oneself as a king or queen among the Jewish people.

ANONYMOUS, BHHS ’13: Modesty is knowing one's self-worth without acting in a way that flaunts it.

REFLECTIONS: What is one fashion trend you hate when girls wear?

YOSEF, SHALHEVET ’14: I don’t like when there are zippers or buttons on shirts, skirts, or dresses, where they shouldn't be. When a shirt or skirt has a zipper in the front, ask yourself, besides it looking cute, why might that zipper be there? To whom is it supposed to attract? I think it’s supposed to be for the men; there is a certain urge to pull it down, or perhaps just question the misplaced zipper. It’s just something that bothers me.

ANONYMOUS, YULA ’13: I don't quite get the appeal of TOMS. They don't seem comfortable, and they really aren't that good looking.

ANONYMOUS ’13: I don’t know what its called, but I hate when girls have shirts on one shoulder and not the next, and you can see their bra strap.

CHET, YULA ’14: I don’t like skirts that are short in the front and long in the back (high-low skirt).

ANONYMOUS, BHHS ’13: I don’t dig too many piercings or too much makeup.

Summer in the City Photography By: Kimia Kavosh

cardigan, Nordstrom dress, Hawaii scarf, H&M bag, H&M

SEM GIRL WEARS By: Deena Felsenthal

Meet a species well known to the Israeli people as curious, and slightly naive, also known as...the seminary girl. The seminary girl can be found in her natural habitat of Yerushalayim, roaming the streets, siddur in hand, searching aimlessly for her basheret in a crowd of clueless Yeshiva boys; or perched on a chair in Aroma Caffe, sipping an iced coffee while arguing with her chavrusa over the true meaning behind the Ramban’s answer. The seminary girl is a rare breed, dedicating her year after high school to growing intellectually, religiously and emotionally, but still managing to stay on trend!

As modern Orthodox Jewish girls, we have all heard of the Hard Tail pencil skirt, or its cheaper (yet more prone to shrinking) Forever 21 version. And of course, we can’t forget the classic Kiki Riki or shell to Tzniu-fy our sleeveless or v-neck tees that we refuse to give up. But when the seminary girl travels to the Holy Land, far away from her comfortable abode in the Five Towns (let’s face it, us West Coasters are greatly outnumbered), she has to search deep within her neshama to find more ways to make covering her collarbone, elbows and knees work. After all, her basheret could be just around the corner, shuckling with admirable kavana at the Kotel!

2013 Trends

Pleather has made its comeback from the 80’s, and is here to stay! This year’s sem fashionishtas have been spotted wearing anything from pleather skirts, to studded pleather vests. My fashion nevuah tells me they will continue to sport their pleather statement pieces unless the holy Rachel Zoe says otherwise. BUT every seminary girl needs to remember that pleather is a privilege, not a right--therefore pleather on pleather is most definitely a fashion shonda (its almost as bad as jean on jean... *shudder*).

Contrast between dark and light colors has been extremely popular on the runway with top designers such as Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriquez, and Oscar de la Renta. This trend has made its way off the runway, and onto the holy streets of Jerusalem.

Ultra-bright colored accessories have made a name for themselves in Israel, as sem girls hop off buses with their hot-pink scrunchies and electric blue patent leather purses. Adding a bright colored accessory adds that “umph” every outfit needs without appearing too obnoxious.

From Michlalah to Midreshet Moriah, girls have been adding a rocker chic edge to otherwise girly outfits. I’m happy to report that my fellow ‘bas yisraels’ have made studs, spikes, combat boots and leather jackets absolute must haves for this year and years to come!

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And how could I forget to mention the preppy trend, with the cult following of hundreds of wanna-be Blair Waldorfs haunting Ben Yehuda. School girl Aline skirts, bows, blazers and flats have been sem staples for as long as I can remember!

Sem girl, you are looking trendy and modest as ever. Keep this up, and you will have Yeshiva bochurim from all over dying to get your number. J’adore!

Sem-Style Tips 1. The first, and most obvious trick that every sem girl keeps in her back pocket is the art of layering. Adding a distressed jean vest, or cozy scarf is a discreet, yet skillful way to cover up without being too obvious.

2. Statement Jewlery can spice up any seemingly drab outfit!

You can find really cheap necklaces and cuffs from Forever 21 that will help transform your entire look.

3. Balance is the key to any super cute AND modest outfit. If you are wearing a tight skirt, put on a flowy top and vice versa. This is a great way to keep your outfits cute and comfy at any sem!

4. Body-Con dresses are the best one-stop-shop outfits for Shabbos. They cover all the tznius bases with style, and can be found anywhere from Asos to Forever 21.

hautelook.com

Nordstrom’s

Tobi.com

accessorize.com

Forever21.com

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A Night To Remember By: Sarah Lipman

hat advertisements and commercials don’t tell you is that walking down a runway to W the loud cheering and clapping of friends and family can do wonders for your self-esteem. From the YULA fashion show, I realized that you can look and feel good in clothing that doesn’t reveal too much skin, and is stillType fashion to enterforward. text rd On Sunday, March 3 , YULA girls and teachers alike came to campus ready to model clothing from several Jewish clothing vendors, including Miss Irene, SevenTwo Denim, Modest Mara, and Karen Michelle. Decked out in the newest spring lines, the models rehearsed their strut on the constructed runway in the auditorium. The goal of the show was not only to put on a fun show for the audience, but to raise money and awareness for Sharsheret- a foundation for Jewish women with breast cancer.

As a participant in the fashion show, I hid behind the stage as the audience flooded into the transformed room. Getting ready to perform my best stride in high-heels, I was almost too nervous to hear the speeches given by YULA principal, Mrs. Bluma Drebin and guest speaker, Mia Adler-Ozair from Healthy is the New Skinny, who spoke about the importance of selfesteem in modesty and maintaining a healthy body image. With the beating of the music and stream of applause, I knew it was show time.

Walking the long runway in borrowed heels would have already been a daunting task without the large audience staring at me. But with an audience, it seemed almost too much to ask. Yet surprisingly, walking down was not as scary as I had thought. Maybe it was due to the fact that the lights aimed at me were set to a blinding voltage, but the walk seemed unreal. The experience went by so quickly that I almost forgot to pose for pictures halfway down the runway. The smiling faces of my friends, family, and community made me feel taller than I already was with five-inch heels on.

An altogether confidence boosting and entertaining event, the fashion show went off without a hitch, and with all the grace and glamour that modest clothing embodies. The whistles and applause for the new spring lines showcased by YULA students and teachers were not only loud and encouraging, but proof that modest clothing can be exciting.

As Tim Gunn would say, “We made it work.”

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Instaglam

#YULAFashionClub

Summer Must-Read By: Nechoma Levine

“Tzniut

is what Judaism calls self-definition...It means knowing what to keep private and what to show. It includes thought, speech, and action because in every realm of life there is a time to reveal and a time to conceal. ” -Gila Manolson

It’s common knowledge that tzniut is one of the most challenging, contested, and misunderstood Mitzvot. Coming from a religious home, I always felt like I had been taught the same recycled cliché's concerning tzniut. Mashalim about diamonds and princesses quickly lost their meaning coming from teachers wearing the same choppy wigs and outdated clothing.

In seventh grade my Hebrew studies teacher introduced the topic of tzniut by having volunteers stand on top of their desks for the purpose of measuring their skirt length, shirt width, and neckline. I remember cringing in my seat, silently praying I would not be called on. Only an ignorant person would confine tzniut to a matter of inches. In reality it has both depth and meaning, by simplifying it we lose its essence and as a result become frustrated, suffocated, embittered, and eventually, disinterested.

In camp one year, my counselors sought to enforce the skirtbelow-the-knee rule by pointing to our revealed knees and proclaiming, “Ew, knees are so ugly, why would you want to show them?”

Tzniut does not mean being ashamed of our bodies. It is valuing and elevating our bodies.

It is recognizing that we are made in the image of G-d and therefore our bodies are valuable and beautiful.

Hashem tells Moshe, “Walk modestly with your G-d.” Tzniut is more than a dress code, it should be channeled into every aspect of our lives. It is our source for a direct connection with God. It is not a suggestion; it is a way of life. True modesty requires us to connect with our inner being.

When expressed properly, it enables us to forge and develop our relationship with God. We all want meaning. Tzniut is a woman's life long journey, it is our means to ultimate fulfillment. It is getting in touch with our godliness and recognizing that G-d is infused in every fiber of our being.

Tzniut was once a burden to me; I felt suffocated by rules and prohibitions I had never subscribed to. The meaning of the mitzvah had been lost in the technicalities. I saw it as a prison uniform, until the day I picked up Gila Manolson's “Outside Inside,” a book that changed my views forever. I had never heard tzniut described that way. Her words spoke to my soul. Becoming tznuah makes me feel different; I hold myself differently. I dress modestly because I am not only the daughter of a King, I am a reflection of God's magnificence in this world. Now I can truly say, I walk modestly with God.

WHAT’S IN MS. BERKMAN’S BAG? By:%Michelle%Naim

We’ve%all%seen%Ms.%Berkman’s%fashionable%clothing%&%gorgeous%scar:es%in%the%school%hallways.% Now,%her%secrets%are%out!%Here%are%the%many%things%her%chic%purse%holds: Michelle: What is one thing you can’t leave the house without?

Berkman: My iPhone....(and the keys so I can get back in!)

Michelle: What are your favorite beauty products?

Berkman: Anything and everything by Laura Mercier. I can't go without my Praline Creme Cheek Colour or my Blush Lip Glace...add the black mascara and I am ready to go!

1. Purse- Beauty Bar (on Beverly) 2. Sleep mask-Drug store (in case of an emergency nap during long drives!)

3. iPhone and laptop cleaner 4. iPhone 5. Sunglasses+case-Sunglass Hut 6. Wallet-Bloomingdales 7. Laura Mercier Lipgloss-Bloomingdales 8. Laura Mercier lotion-Bloomingdales 9. Listerine-drug store 10. Hairbrush-Rite Aid 11. Guardian angel she received from her mom at sixteen,when she began driving. (She takes it everywhere, even other people’s cars,to keep her safe.)

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beauty is not outer appearance, it’s located in the heart and soul, reflected in one’s eyes

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Rimmel London Glam’Eyes Professional Liquid Liner Maybelline Mascara Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint in Moody

FLOWER POWER

By Nikkie Mashian

Step 1: Purchase all necessary materials: 1.

2.

3.

Variety of nail polish colors (I’m using white, black, orange, yellow, green, navy blue, light pink, magenta, and light purple nail polish by Wet ‘n Wild) Nail polish remover and Q-tips for wiping the mess off your fingers Most importantly- a few toothpicks to make the design!

Step 2: Paint one layer of the white nail polish on all 5 fingers. Let it dry and wipe off any mess left over with a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.

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Step 3: Take a toothpick and dip it into desired nail polish, and drop a splatter of color on your nail.

Step 4: Repeat with a variety of colors on every nail.

*Make sure to leave some white spaces on your nail in the process!

Step 5: Once dry, put black and white dots in the centers of random splatters- only a few on each nail

Step 6: Clean up any mess on fingers 窶天oila` your nails are beautiful!

HOLLYWOOD TREND: TZNIUS

Victoria Bekham

Rihanna in TopShop

Naomi Watts in Calvin Klein

Taraji Henson in Mary Katrantzou

Delta Goodren in Christian Dior

Kourtney Kardashian in Kelly Wearslter denim shirt & ASOS skirt

Kate Bosworth in Burberry

YULA ALUMNUS CLASS OF ’87