The Snood Goes Mainstream

In a recent posting on DoubleX, Lauren Moser discusses the retail phenomenon known as the "snood," a scarf-hood combo that has been selling particularly well as of late. When I first read this, I got excited. Finally, a fashion trend begun in the Orthodox community successfully crosses over into mainstream society. I'm now waiting for curly side locks to make an appearance in the men's fall fashion lines.

Here are a couple of images that accompanied the piece.



But as I scrolled through the slideshow, I became disappointed. These weren't pictures of the snoods of my youth. In the first, one strong gust of wind would've blown the so-called "snood" right off the woman's head, exposing her hair to the world. In the latter, she's not even wearing it on her head. She's wearing the "snood" as a striped, preppie necklace.

Having grown up in Brooklyn's Orthodox community, I saw a lot of a snoods and to me, they all looked like oversized socks that women wore to cover their heads.

They perfectly complimented the long, shapeless velvet Shabbos robes, many of which cost more than the dress I had worn to synagogue in the morning for services. I would've thought that sewing in a waist would added to the price but what do I know? I am not a seamstress.

Anyway, the best pop culture explanation of the "snood" has been created by none other than the folks at the Daily Show. The segment embedded below is one of my all time favorites, dating all the way back to 2004. (Check out the hilarious "snood" reference at 1:55. And again at the very end.)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Notorious W.I.G.
www.thedailyshow.com
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Breaking to Nina Simone

When people ask me if I'm the only white Jewish girl who breaks, I typically answer, "Well, my first breaking teacher is Ephrat. What do you think?" This tends to shut the questioner right up. And yes, Ephrat is actually "Dorit" of the recent elf article, the one who put me into a corner because I couldn't move to the beat. But no hard feelings. I'm just gonna post a video of her here.



This was recorded at an emerging artists' showcase hosted by the Field at Dixon Place. What impresses me most about her performance is the fact that she seems to be emoting while breaking. The only emotion I'm able to demonstrate is fear and shame, which basically characterizes how I spend every waking moment. Anyway, back to the performance. Ephrat breaks to a Nina Simone song, Ne Me Quitte Pas. If you thought (like I did) that what is impressive about breaking is the speed and power with which the moves are performed, it is very interesting and engrossing to watch those same elements performed slowly, almost sadly.

I'll stop here since if I praise her any more, I risk fluffing her enormous Israeli ego. Check out more of her work at her site: www.ephratasherie.com

Hebrew Tattoos Gone Awry

We've all seen the college coeds with Chinese characters tramp stamped across their backsides. You know, the ones they had done after spring break, the ones they thought meant "Integrity" but actually meant actually means "Supermarket." Those are good.

The only problems with Chinese tattoos is that I don't understand the language so I can't immediately spot a stupid one. Aside from English, I'm only fluent in one other language- Hebrew. Thankfully (and no doubt due to Madonna's influence), people have started marking themselves up in Hebrew words and phrases that just as silly as their Chinese incarnations.

A few months ago on this blog, I remarked on seeing a woman with "Abba," Hebrew for "Daddy" written across her back in Hebrew characters. And the people at Bad Hebrew Tattoos have made it their mission to expose even more Semitic ridiculousness.

(Thanks to Michal S. for sending the link my way!)

My Personal Elf-Say

Today the long winded account of my elfish adventures was published on The Morning News. I take no responsibility for the punny title.

And as we know, the New York Times loves Jews, especially liberal, self-deprecating ones. They mentioned my story at the top of the City Room Blog page, which can be found here. I am pretty sure that the first line, which reads, "Dvora Meyers, a former Orthodox Jew," will kill at least half my family when they see it. Which they probably won't since they don't read the Israel hating Times.

Santa's All Star Jewish Dream Team

I'm on it. Not because I say so but because Matthue Roth at My Jewish Learning has drafted me on yesterday's Mixed Multitudes blog post. I am joined by the Hasidic rebbe character from the Nathan Englander story, "Reb Kringle," and stand up comedian, Ophira Eisenberg.

I hate to reinforce cultural stereotypes...

Who am I kidding? I love to reinforce cultural stereotypes!

The video below takes you behind the scenes of Rachel and the Dragon, which introduces us to Princess Rachel, Disney's first Jewish American princess!

Personally, I feel this is long overdue. I remember growing up in Canarsie and looking to cartoons for role models and guidance, but only seeing princesses with straight hair and clear skin. I was forced to watch The Nanny to see myself reflected in the modern media.

If only those role models had been there for Jewish girls all those years ago. Then we wouldn't have had to better ourselves through reading.



Said one animator, "I just feel like they're judging me all the time."

Yes, yes we are.

And you thought Jewish singles had it rough...

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.

The only good thing about Twilight are the parodies.