I recently was informed of a new phenomenon. hareidi high schoolgirls from the best Hasidic and Lithuanian Israeli families are flocking to Ikea furniture stores in flash mobs of hundreds to sit on the chairs and sofas to lie on the beds while studying for tests but not buying anything. They claim the stores don't mind if they interfere with normal business because the store wants to attract chareidi families to come enjoy kosher food in the restaurant or cheap kosher ice cream or for them to be comfortable with the store so that when they get married they will be good customers. There is a similar development at the New National library which has tried to discourage them by requiring library cards. No such push back seems to have come from Ikea. The girls don't think they are doing anything wrong by seeking a place to study for their tests without being exposed to unhealthy crowds like at a mall or beach. The schools and parents aren't objecting so it must be alright!
Some thoughts:
ReplyDeleteAre they dressed modestly?
Is the food kosher?
Do they speak with modern Israeli accent?
Are there TV screens showing Pop videos, or just marketing product range?
Is Tu b'av a thing in hareidi community?
Are they likely to mix with yeshiva boys or even worse dati leumi with knitted kippot?
Yeshayahu writes a stinging critique of women who dressed in a certain way, like Pop star jewellery etc, but when I drive in Stamford hill, frum school girls wear appropriate uniform.
So would need more specific information on what the problem is.
They are dressed modestly and the food is kosher and no tv screens or boys. they are just using a commercial venue for their own needs and interfering with the store
DeleteSometimes if you want perfection, you might end up forcing them into less favourable situations, i.e. the type which is not currently being infringed
Deleteif ikea doesnt object the phenomenom cant b too serious
ReplyDelete