"Educating
Toward Tzniut- Modesty"
Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel
Recently an Educational Forum on the subject of “Educating Toward Tzniut
" was held at our Elkana Campus. On the one hand, the choice of this
particular topic arose as a result of its obvious importance. While on the
other hand this topic was chosen particularly due to the discomfort of speaking
about it in a public forum. The goal was to open with a discussion and to begin
a process in which each student will be able to formulate her own position in
regard to this important subject before she ventures out into the educational
world. The working assumption was that
this Educational Forum cannot cover the subject in its entirety and that which
was started here is to be continued.
The Forum opened with a show depicting differing viewpoints on the
issue under the banner of “Modesty As I See It.” Rabbanit Dr. Vizel presented a
position and raised several possible angles and questions regarding that
stance. She addressed modesty as a broad and fundamental value.
Then, the Dance majors put on a short presentation accompanied at
first by a running commentary by Ms. Michal Zarka, one of the dance
instructors, after which one of the dances is repeated. The entire filled to
capacity audience both students and staff members, was moved and mesmerized by
the dances and by the running explanations.
Ms. Merav Shapira, the Dance
Department’s Jewish issues coordinator, connected this awe inspiring
performance to the centrality of the human body in the worship of Hashem, and
to the importance of what is revealed and what is concealed. This part of the
presentation was closed by Dr. Tzippy Rein, a psychologist and acting head of
“The Family Center” which is located in the college, who presented her
viewpoints in dealing with the demands of modesty and Halacha- Jewish
law.
After the presentation the students broke up into groups of their
choosing. The discussions were held in round table forums with each group
moderated by staff members who volunteered their time to lead open and frank
discussions on the female issue of tzniut.
It was wonderful to hear the feedback from the different groups and
the variety of opinions that arose from both the moderators and the students.
In spite of the time constraints, the round-table format enabled there to be
open and frank discussions on this loaded issue.
Among the staff in attendance were: Rabbanit Nechama Ariel, Dr.
Rivka Raviv, Ms. Vered Kahan, Ms. Rachelli Bartov, Ms. Nana Tchiya, Dr. Yael
Klein, Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel, Rabbanit
Miri Ben-Shitrit, Ms. Revital Vaknin and others. There were about as many
opinions voiced as there were participants, staff and students combined! The
idea to make this a multi-disciplinary event, proved itself above and beyond
all expectations.
The next section of the afternoon was a lecture in the auditorium
by Noa Yaron-Dayan, a writer and former TV moderator. Noa had come from a world
which was one of glitz, ratings and total exposure, to a world of Torah and
modesty. She shared with her audience the ways in which she dealt with and
views the issues of tzniyut and living a life of Halacha.
The highlight of the day was a panel comprised of the heads of
several ulpenot- religious girls’ high schools, and other educators who
discussed educational dilemmas and the ultimate decisions which they undertook
in the matter of educating to modesty. The panel members included: The
head of Ulpenat Tzvia in Lod, Chaggit Yogev, The head of Ulpenat Bnei
Akiva in Hadar Ganim- Petach Tikva, Tal Navoni, and Rabbanit Shlomit
Ben-Shaya from Ulpenat Lehava. These panelists suggested important
nuggets for thought regarding a healthy balance between the proper attitude to
have towards one’s body and to the all important principle of modesty,
including tzniyut in dress.
In reflection, the issues which were raised that day had
repercussions and are continuing to reverberate in the halls of the college now
as they did then.
Over the past few weeks we conducted a number of seminars for young
women who are doing National Service through the auspices of the “Bat Ami” and
“Aminadav” non-profit associations. The purpose of these study days was to give
these women tools to be able to cope on a day to day basis in their places of
service. Each of these days began with opening greetings from the Dean of
Students, Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel; as well as with a narrated dance performance
conducted by our Dance majors under the tutelage of Sharona Florsheim.
