tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11733678.post-7002482109724953802009-06-05T04:07:29.027-04:002009-06-05T04:07:29.027-04:00I stumbled across your blog while looking for ballet classes for frum women. <br />Browsing through the comments I was shocked to see how many people seemed threatened by brianna&#39;s observation that the culture of orthodox Judaism is extremely restricting for women.<br />First i would like to say that this is subject on which I do not think men are qualified to comment because no matter how hard he might try a man could never understand the experience of a frum woman. <br />Secondly, I would like to respond to look what a bargain&#39;s original comment simply by saying that if Jews were never supposed to follow their dreams then why do we respect Yosef so much? I think its a shame you never became a journalist. Dreams are not selfish - they are simply dreams, aspirations to hone your talents and strengths and use them well. If G-d did not want us to use these talents He would not have given them to us. The challenge of the frum woman is figuring out how to use these talents within the framework of her lifestyle. Unfortunately the orthodox world of today does little to encourage this kind of exploration. I encourage Brianna&#39;s push for women to find ways of following there dreams. For every frum girl out there who has been laughed at for some dream or aspiration just remember that Jews haven&#39;t changed much since the times of the Chumash . At least you weren&#39;t sold into slavery like another great dreamer. (Though I&#39;m sure it crossed the minds of some BY teachers of my own when I told them what I wanted to be when I grew up-NASA wasn&#39;t something they could really understand) So basically what I am trying to say is that if you are a frum Jewish woman and you want to do something a little outside the box - go for it- it doesn&#39;t make you any less religious. your just paving the way for all the women who will follow after you. If you have the passion you can a find a way to do anything even within the framework of orthodoxy. Personally, I strongly believe that if young women are not allowed to follow their passions they will become apathetic towards everything - especially the lifestyle that told them there was no way they could be themselves. This is when self esteem becomes a huge problem. These girls will go through life knowing that they harbor a secret love for something unacceptable and they will learn to believe that this part of themselves is shameful.Shainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14773448424087845988noreply@blogger.com