Becky Blab

I saw a documentary program called ‘Jews’ in the UK last week before coming here. The first of in a three-part series focusing on Jews in Britain gave us a glimpse into the lives of an ultra-orthodox community called the Hasidic. I was struck by some similarities between the way the women are treated in that community and here in Rajasthan. Basically, the emphasis on modesty for married women, which includes following a strict dress code and always having your head covered in public, as well as shoulders and legs above the knee; lack of reproductive rights (specifically that of birth control); restricted mobility; and maintaining one’s proper role as mother and running the household.

Please see this Telegraph article for a more detailed review of the show.