By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Sarah Mendelsohn, Principal of Bais Yaakov Ohel Sarah in Brooklyn, NY, was intrigued earlier this year when she read about a change to the attire of the British royals.
In a report, quoted on COLlive.com, Queen Elizabeth II requested that her grandson’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, dress in a manner befitting her status as the wife of one heir to the throne and the mother of another.
“This forms part of a deliberate move to shift the Duchess’ image from High Street to high end, timeless Royal elegance – without losing her freshness and informality,” writes the Daily Mail.
Mrs. Mendelsohn said she saw this in line with the interpretation of our Sages on Psalms 45:14, “All the glory of a princess is within” which refers to tzniut (modesty).
“The implication is that such modesty is both in dress and demeanor of the Jewish woman,” she says. “In addition to a vibrant and demanding educational program, tznius happens to be a cornerstone of the educational program at our school.”
The article regarding The Queen and Duchess Kate served as the basis of exciting discussion in the school. “The regal bearing of The Queen has always been highlighted by the modesty and dignity of her dress code,” she says.
The upshot was that the girls decided to write a combined letter to The Queen, with a cover letter from Mrs. Mendelsohn.
In their letter the girls declared, “Your Majesty, you are an inspiration to us all.” They also asked for The Queen’s thoughts on modesty. Not sure whether there would be a royal response, the girls mailed their letter.
To their happy surprise they recently received a reply from The Queen, penned by her Senior Correspondence Officer (SCO).
Apparently, while The Queen is certainly modest in her dress and conduct, it is clear that the subject of modesty is a sensitive one, especially in the royal family, and it is “not a matter on which Her Majesty would personally comment.”
At the same time the SCO conveyed The Queen’s blessing – “good wishes to you all and to everyone at Bais Yaakov Ohel Sarah for a most enjoyable and successful school year.”
While the school’s guiding approach is, like many other Bais Yaakov schools, the Torah and halacha, a declared aim is to inculcate a Jewish mindset in the girls so that their responses to the world with which they interact will be authentically Jewish. Their faith, their thought processes and their actions are to be in sync in a gracious and noble fashion.
“The Jews are an eternal people with an eternal creed and values, decency and personal conduct should not have to change with the vagaries and dictates of society,” says Mrs. Mendelsohn.
“In the Torah it states that the Jewish People are to be ‘a kingdom of Cohanim and a holy people.’ That does not change. Rather, Jews who represent the Torah should always be seen to have the elements of dignity and responsibility permeate their actions.”
I go to BYOS and I’m in 6th grade and all of us and 7th grade write a letter and Mrs Mendelson put all of them together and we sent it we didn’t think we would get a reply but we did from the Queen!
I work in that school and I know that they are very careful to accept only girls who are tznius, chassidish and have derech eretz. That makes a big difference and a pleasure to work there !
i agree 100%
its exactly this!
yay Chaya!proud of you!
love your fans
The message that they are trying to show is very powerful. I’ve never seen a school who would take tznius so seriously! You could learn a lot. I’m very impressed
My 2 daughters go to this school. Not only do they love it but I do also.
Everyone there is so kind and caring. All the staff members care about each and everyone of the students on a level that I have never seen in any other school. The girls learn so much and are also infused with a love of yidishkeit. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants their girls to receive a solid education as well as coming out with midos, derech eretz and yiras shomayim.
Great idea. I’m sure they will remember it
What ? She teaches in preschool in Bais Yaakov Ohel Sarah?
So we shld start sending our kids there from preschool!!!
it really expresses:
“kol kvuda bas melech pnima”
Whatever the case, it’s on very rare occasions, and to find a photo of her in trousers is especially rare.
Weather or not the Queen is tznius is not the whole point of what this amazing school had done. They have brought a musar haskel to their students that if people from the umos haolam can understand that royalty should dress and act diffrent how can we. .. children of Hashem…children of the king of all kings for one moment forget who we are…we must always hold ourselves both in our actions and dress as royalty and be proud of who we are. I wish other schools would stress this important message to their students.
the queen is always tznius
Bottom line is , if everyone would recognize that they are hosting a precious holy soul..they would dress appropriately and respectfully.
Until 1970 the Queen only wore trousers in private. For public affairs she wore formal dresses, but as the fashions changed so drasticly, she felt forced to go with the tide… But she still mostly wears skirts or dresses for formal occasions.
The Queen does wear trousers, but only on rare occasions.
Thats soo cool! very creative i have to say!!
Beis Yaakov ohel sara school is my kid’s second home. the teachers give off a mothers love and care, and between classmates the respect and a best sister/cousin/friend kind of relationship is amazing to watch.
A quick Google of “Queen trousers” reveals that your statement is totally baseless. Perhaps in the future you’ll spend just a few seconds doing research before making a public statement.
Thank you
Why must we get preachy with each other when it comes to this topic?
My son is in their preschool and the legendary machaneches mrs Raziel Wolvovsky infuses him with a warmth for yidishkeit that makes me cry.
What smart teachers and principal to give this lesson to the girls. I’m sure other schools will discuss this as well.
you say talking too much is also not tznius.. we are guilty of talking too late. But that does not mean we are to simply accept the unacceptable. Here is a beautiful lesson from a goy: ____________________________________ Muhammed Ali’s advice to his daughters… An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters: “When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare… Read more »
we love the queen!
the girls takeh look tznius. good job mrs mendelsohn and all the stuff
It is very nice story. My daughters are in a 6 and 7 grades. We are happy to be part of this school
It goes till 8 th grade. And they’re planning to open an high school iyh. Can’t wait !
Go The British! an example to all!
Great JOB!!
It is so refreshing to see a school that not only cares about good academics but puts a strong emphasis on tznius!
We need to be proud of our heritage and not waiver and feel the need to copy others. We are the children of the KING and should always dress and behave as royalty.
Absolutely fascinating experience! Impressive standards, Bais Yaakov Ohel Sarah! Way to go!
the girls look very aidel. what grade does it go till?
my daughter is in 6th grade . there is a ride from ch. they are all, so happy there, a heimishe, chassidishe school. thank you bais yaakov ohel sarah! personnal attention to every single girl
do u have any ch girls? looks good
We love the Queen
“Talking too much about tznius also infringes on Tznius.” Perhaps the lesson in the queens response.
סתם להאיר, I don’t believe the queen herself ever wears pants (besides horseback riding of course)
What Torah learning does for a man, tznius does for a woman. This is our protection. I’m very proud of this school. May they be an example to all schools.
very nice! much to learn from .
nice