Ariela Basson

2015-2016 Rising Voices Fellow Ariela Basson

Ariela Basson is a senior at Needham High School in Needham, MA. She is passionate about journalism, Judaism, feminism, and fashion. She writes for her school's newspaper; is a member of her school's very first feminist club, Girls Achieving Leadership and Service; and is a Vice President of her temple's youth group board. She also enjoys taking art classes at school and skiing on her school’s ski team. Ariela aspires to someday incorporate her feminist principles and love for writing into a career in the fashion industry.

Blog Posts

High School Graduation Photo of Rising Voices Fellow Ariela Basson

The Beauty of Insignificance

Ariela Basson

I wouldn’t really say I write for change. In theory, yes, that’s a wonderful idea: the idea that everything can be changed through the power of the pen (or should I say keyboard), but I honestly don’t believe that’s true in my case.

Topics: Feminism, Writing
Rising Voices Fellow Ariela Basson with her Grandmother

Where in the World is Lorraine Basson?

Ariela Basson

When I think of a strong Jewish woman in my life, my grandmother, Lorraine Basson, immediately comes to mind. I admire my grandmother for so many of her traits: her passion, her love for her family, her intelligence, her sense of style, her chicken noodle soup recipe, her sophistication, her honesty, her boldness, her fearlessness, but one trait stands out in particular: her love of travel. 

Resilience is an attitude Cropped

The Power of Resilience

Ariela Basson

Change: the act or instance of making or becoming different. Change can be wonderful. Change can be terrifying. Change can be exciting, but change is never easy. Whether we want it to happen or not, change doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. It takes time and effort. I learned this lesson when I decided to start a new position for my temple’s USY (United Synagogue Youth) board. 

A Red Rose

My Beef with the Bachelor

Ariela Basson

This winter, Ben Higgins graced our TV screens once again in his search for love on ABC’s hit reality show, The Bachelor. As an avid (yet ashamed) Bachelor viewer, I’ve been thinking about everything wrong with this show. From the degrading one-sided relationships, to what is expected of the women on the painfully cheesy dates, there are so many things wrong with this show; and don’t even get me started with the lack of diversity! 

Topics: Television
Rising Voices Fellow Ariela Basson

An Open Letter to “Good Feminists”

Ariela Basson

In her November 2013 post for JWA’s blog, Marissa Harrington-Verb wrote about the challenges and critiques her mother faced with regard to her attachment parenting. Many people, including women, would critique Marissa’s mother for her very involved approach to parenting. Ultimately, Marissa argued that feminism is the freedom to make a choice. I could not agree more with Marissa’s point. 

Topics: Feminism, Children
Malala Yousafzai

Malala's Mission

Ariela Basson

As a child, I would play “school.” I would pretend to be the teacher, and my siblings and stuffed animals were my students. Although it was a curriculum based on Barbies and Legos, I was attracted early on to sharing my knowledge. It was rewarding to stand in front of the “class,” lecture, and ask questions. 

New York Fashion Week Models

The Art Of Self-Expression

Ariela Basson

I have always been what some may call a “fashionista.” I have loved fashion since I was a very little girl. Whether it be my all-pink clothing phase, my mortifying obsession with layering neon Sugar Lips tank tops, my love for high side ponytails, or my obnoxiously bright and sparkly Limited-Too wardrobe, I have always used fashion to mirror my inner self. 

Helene Aylon's Self Portrait, 2004

Artists For A Cause

Ariela Basson

While my Jewish views are different from Helène’s, she and I have similar artistic views. Just like Helène, I think art can be utilized as a powerful weapon to fight various forms of oppression and injustice. I believe that art ought to be used more often in the everlasting fight for gender equality. 

Topics: Feminism, Art
I Need Feminism Sign

Dress Code or Stress Code?

Ariela Basson

I never really understood the purpose of the dress code. Was it for religious reasons? Was it to protect our male classmates from possible distraction from their studies? Was it for both reasons? I found it extremely degrading that I felt pressured to be ashamed of my body. 

Topics: Feminism, Jewish Law

How to cite this page

Jewish Women's Archive. "Ariela Basson." (Viewed on September 24, 2023) <https://jwa.org/blog/author/ariela-basson>.