Sunday, June 3, 2012

Modesty

WARNING: Picture overload on this post.  Yes, I'm overdoing it on the pictures here, but you have to understand that I have been collecting these pictures for nearly three months now for this post.  You can just scan through them, really.  I give you complete permission. {smile}

One thing that is especially obvious in Israel is the modestly dressed women.  You see it everywhere.  And, let me tell ya... it is a breath of fresh air!



If you know me in "real life," then you know that I wear only skirts and dresses that come down to my knees.  I have done this since I was about 7 or 8 years old, and it is a decision I came to on my own, since it was not required in my home.  I learned about modesty in my church and made a personal decision that this was an area I could give to the Lord.  It is a very personal commitment that I have made to my Lord and kept for many, many years.

Being in Israel and seeing the religious ladies and girls and the way they dress daily is something I have thoroughly enjoyed.  They do it for God just like I do, so that makes me feel quite at home amongst them!


When my 5-year old Brianna plays at the park in her little skirts, she blends right in.  And, I have even learned from the girls here that adding a little pair of lace-trimmed "biker shorts" underneath her skirts is not only practical for playing on slides and swings, but it is also just down-right cute!

Shopping for clothes here in Israel would be a dream for me, except 1) We have enough clothes already {Really?!  Did I just type that?!} 2) We don't have room in our suitcases to take anything extra back to our home in Ukraine 3) Prices here are expensive.  But, remember? I promised to talk about that in a future post, and I haven't forgotten!


Now obviously, not everyone here in Israel dresses in skirts and dresses everyday, but for the religious Jews, it is standard everyday wear, even for playing at the park.  I took these pictures as discreetly as possible, but, unfortunately, have not taken pictures of these lovely ladies on the Sabbath.  Oh, boy... they dress up on their day of rest, wearing the equivalent of what American girls wear for Easter Sunday or for a pageant, play, or recital.  And, it is especially sweet to see several little sisters in matching dresses.  That, too, is a common sight here, and I just love it!

So, I will quit talking now and just let you browse the rest of these pictures on your own.  As always, thank you for taking the time to stop in and take a peek!















By the way, I have a video presentation I put together a couple of years ago called Modest Is Beautiful.  It has nearly 15,000 views, so if you haven't seen it yet, maybe you will enjoy it too!  {Just click on the highlighted words to open the link.}

Thanks again for stopping in for another "Tour Israel" series!  You readers are always such a joy to me, and I just love your comments so very, very much!

29 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for sharing this, Jolene. After living in UA, I can see how this is a breath of fresh air for you. I'm not sure if I ever told you or not, but do you remember your "reverse culture shock" posts from when you were over here on furlough in Fall 2010? I remember being shocked when you said you thought how modest Americans dressed. I couldn't believe it as I see way too much skin when we are out and about... HA! That was BEFORE I went to Ukraine! I totally, totally get it now. :-( Thanks for this post. Beautiful girls/women beautifully dressed.

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  2. May I borrow a quote and link back to this page? Modest dress is a topic I've blogged on before, but we can never over stress.

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  3. Love this post! Beautiful! I agree. What a breath of fresh air.

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  4. That is incredible!! And how lovely and feminine they all look. Here in the States, if I see someone in a modest dress or skirt in the store or else where, my first thought is, "I wonder where they go to church?!"

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  5. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, I am with you all the way! You are right; it is so refreshing! Dress is sometimes (actually a lot of the times) so ungodly here in the states. The sad thing is that you're seeing it more and more with Christan women and girls. It breaks my heart. It's good to see these ladies there in Israel dressing so modestly, and yet they look "stylish" and most of all feminine. Very good post, Jolene. Bless you!

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  6. What a blessing. I love it! Women teaching the young girls modesty. Something that Christians, some who claim to be conservative, fail to do here in the states! I'm sure it's everywhere I just notice it here. Even in our churches our men must cover their eyes. The one place they should be able to come and not worry! What a breath of fresh air as you say for you, your hubby, and boys! Thanks for sharing! Love y'all! Stephanie Way

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  7. I thoroughly enjoyed this! I didn't realize that religious Jewish ladies wore such stylish yet modest clothing, and it's a joy to see such beautiful, modest clothing being worn simply because the wearer feels that it pleases God. I think we lose sight of that here in North America sometimes, thinking we have to be modest or stylish, but never both! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I loved this post! The modesty in Dubai was so nice when we visited there. Do Jewish women wear the veil over their hair like I saw in Dubai a lot?

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    1. Yes, Jessi, they do.... the "orthodox" religious Jewish ladies keep their hair covered at all times. You can read much more about their customs of modesty here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzniut

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  9. WOW! This is amazing! Neat to see that this still exists in any culture!! Love seeing your blogs. All the kids huddle around when it's time to check every few days! :)

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  10. mrssloan have a question for you there are how many grandchildren in the sloanfamily/?your motherinlaw writes in her blog 34 grandchildren? could you please update and is liz sloan pregnant? thank you

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    1. There are officially 30 grandchildren with two more on the way. Those that are expecting are Ruthie and Elizabeth {Sloan} Martinez (not to be confused with Liz Sloan. Liz Sloan is not expecting.)

      My sweet mother-in-law always counts those grandchildren that she has lost through miscarriages, which sometimes confuses people because this is not a common practice. If you count those who have been lost, those that the Lord has allowed to be born, and those that are on their way, there are a grand total of 36!

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  11. I enjoyed every picture. I wish you could find that in more countries. Every day looks like a church picnic at the park!

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  12. Jennifer Spell BontragerMonday, June 04, 2012

    I love this post. The girls all look so pretty and feminine.

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  13. Carolee SchwadererMonday, June 04, 2012

    Living in the Canary Islands, you rarely see such modesty--in fact, just the opposite. When I visited my son in Africa, you saw a lot more modesty as well.

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  14. Спасибо тебе Джолин! Для меня всегда радостно видеть Израиль, это как глоток свежего воздуха и прохладной воды в жаркий день. Между прочим, Израиль это единственное местно (из моего опыта) где идя по улице, на тебя не обращают внимание из-за скромной одежды! Благословений вам!!!

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  15. Cheri StensaasMonday, June 04, 2012

    I really enjoyed reading your blog and I just want you to know that I am behind you 100%!! I appreciate your honesty and biblical principals. So many people have given up on modesty and holiness and have compromised with the world. Thanks for remaining faithful to our Lord and godliness. Thanks for sharing it with the "world"!!!

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  16. Wow Jolene! That is awesome!!! We have one family that is "checking us out" right now. (Considereing joining our church) One of the questions they asked us is about my not wearing pants. I was pleased with the answer my husband gave and I intend to blog about it soon. Thanks for this post! How timely this post is for me. I intend to use it if that is ok with you? Thanks again!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed this post, Tinyla, and I hope that dear family joins your church!

      Yes, of course, you may use this post in whatever way you wish. Thanks, friend!

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  17. Cool! That is beautiful! I have done the "leggings" under the girls' dresses and skirts for the past year, and it really is modest and cute :) Especially for active little girls like mine :) Great post, Jolene!

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  18. Love this post!! Thanks for sharing! I have to agree with everyone else, they are all so beautiful and feminine, while still being modest! Night and day difference from Ukraine, that's for sure! I love wearing skirts and do a lot, though not all the time. :) I would love to wear a skirt all the time though, and I plan too once I can get enough of them in my wardrobe! I'm sure I would also fit right in there, though not here. I get weird looks and have gotten some not so nice comments from my grandmas about it. :P

    And wait a minute! What do you mean you don't "fit in" in Ukraine? Lots of Ukrainian women wear skirts too.. ;) That are 6" long! LOL

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  19. Looks like a skirt culture for sure. The modesty is quite evident. What a great opportunity you have to share your Israeli experience with your readers.
    Blessings and hugs to you all,
    Coleen

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  20. Defiantly nice to see! -Jessi

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  21. How refreshing!!!!!
    Mrs. H

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  22. Think I might have to move to Israel so I can blend in too :) Great post Jolene.

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  23. Amanda HerndonFriday, June 15, 2012

    Love the post on modesty. I loved all the pictures.

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  24. I agree, how refreshing. We dress modestly in our home too. No sleeveless shirts and shorts/skirts/dresses should be to the knee or longer. It's a shame that it is hard to find some modest clothing for girls, and the styles now a days! Oh my! My girls are 1 and 7 and modesty is what they are growing up with. It's not like one day we are going to say, now you can't wear short shorts or short skirts, they just know that is the way things have always been. My 7 yr old is always pointing out how someone is not dressing modestly. I am glad she is choosing to serve the Lord that way too. I like how you put it that way. Thanks for your sweet comments over on my blog.

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  25. Sooo trueeee -- Modest IS beautiful (: Loved ur video (: I think Israel is ssooooo cool for that -- I've never seen so many modest girls at one place one time in my life!!! [besides church] Such pretty dresses (: <3 The 2nd pic -- that's how I dress in the winter time! lol Minus the thingo on her head ;)) It must be really nice for boys -- a whole lot better environment I'm sure!!! :P This thing about modesty is crazy...idk why ppl don't do it anymore... it's so sad. :( Cuz it IS beautiful!!!! Guys don't usually say nice things about you or treat you respectfully if your not modest!!! :P Ppl have a crazy and warped mind nowadays...

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Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25