Community leaders tell us the story behind their most memorable questions
WE bring it right in the front door! I’m (mostly) kidding. People often ask how I can host Jewessence girls in my home. Aren’t I afraid they’re going to influence my kids?
The question assumes my kids would be tempted by what the girls are exposing them to. Interestingly, my oldest daughter told me that she thinks she’s less tempted than many of her peers, because she’s seen the other side, and it’s not what she wants. My kids recognize that many of the girls aren’t comfortable where they’re at. It’s obvious to them they’re seeing someone who’s suffering, not a person who’s having the time of her life.
As colorful as the girls are, and they can be very colorful, they’ve always been respectful. No one has ever done anything b’davka to violate our values or offend us. People sometimes want to know if that includes the way they dress. They respect us because we respect them — and that includes respecting them no matter how they’re dressed. After years of being judged by the way they look, accepting them as they are, inviting them into our home and our Shabbos table is a big part of their healing.
Having these girls in our home helps my kids develop depth in their relationship with Hashem and Torah. They learn nuance; not all of Judaism is about externals like wearing tights. People can struggle with some mitzvos while working on others. Most important to me — my children learn to love and value every Jew. When one of my kids was asked by her teacher, “What is a value in your home that you would want to incorporate in your future home?” she answered, “Ahavas Yisrael, that we love and accept all Jews.”
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