Haredi women kosher inspectors have begun supervising clothing businesses in Mea Shearim and Geulah, checking whether the clothes sold in the stores meet their extreme understanding of Jewish Law. Some stores have rejected the new supervision but others have complied, fearing that otherwise demonstrations would be held in front of their businesses.
New start-up: Kosher clothing stores
Extreme haredi group hands out kashrut certificates to shops in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim, Geula neighborhoods
Ari Galahar • Ynet
An extreme ultra-Orthodox body has established a kashrut department supervising clothing stores in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim and Geula neighborhoods.
Haredi women have begun supervising businesses in the neighborhoods on behalf of the new department, checking whether the clothes sold in the stores meet the requirements of Jewish Law. The department's findings will be published across the neighborhoods.
According to an ad issued by the Committee for the Sanctity of the Camp, many of haredi women buy clothes which do not meet proper standards, "damaging our camp's modesty."
The ad also stated, "Experience shows that there is no other way to defeat this horrible breach other than having rabbis supervise the clothes' kashrut."
The committee added that haredi women must "support the kosher stores" by buying their clothes there.
A source in the Geula neighborhood told the Yedioth Jerusalem paper and the Mynet website that some clothing stores refused to meet the new department's demands. Other businesses, however, gave in to the new rules for fear of creating a dispute with the sector's leaders, which may lead to protests outside the shops.
None of the haredi women above would be considered to be properly dressed. They lack hats worn over their wigs, their stockings are too sheer, white shoes are not permitted, many of the blouses would be considered too modern, and they all lack a covering – either a shawl, or a jacket or a sweater – over their blouses.