Wolf, Chesler Weigh In on the Hijab — and Each Other
Naomi Wolf — the feminist Jewish author of the bestselling landmark book, “The Beauty Myth,” which brazenly exposes how the multi-billion dollar beauty industry manipulates women’s entire sense of self — is gorgeous. For two decades now, the brilliant and outspoken Wolf has decried cosmetics, plastic-surgery and hair removal businesses while appearing, let’s just say, well made-up.
She’s a bit of an enigma that way – lipstick feminism decrying lipstick. I suppose all writers really do write about our own lives, whether or not we have fully escaped those societal traps we wish to unveil. Or maybe Wolf simply reminds us to look past the packaging and focus on the message. The New York Observer is now reporting that she is “going back to her roots” and has just gotten a book deal to write a cultural history of the vagina.
In any case, Wolf’s paradoxical stance has recently gotten her into some trouble. In this essay in the Sydney Morning Herald, Wolf extols the sexual virtues of the hijab, using rhetoric with strong echoes of Orthodox Judaism...
Elana Maryles Sztokman is an educator, researcher, writer, and contributor to The Sisterhood, which crossposts weekly with Jewesses with Attitude.
Amplify Jewish women’s stories—Donate now to Jewish Women’s Archive
Before you close this article, please consider starting the new year by supporting the Jewish Women’s Archive and uplifting Jewish women’s voices.
At JWA, we preserve the voices of Jewish women and gender-expansive people past and present, share them freely with millions online, and empower a new generation of Jewish feminists to lead with courage, creativity, and conviction.
But none of this happens without you. JWA is an independent nonprofit— we rely on people, like you, who believe that history belongs to all of us and that the voices of Jewish women must remain powerful, and heard.
Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us document, teach, and inspire through Jewish women’s stories.
It takes less than a minute to make a difference. Thank you for standing with JWA when it matters most.
Thank you for being a part of the JWA community,
Judith Rosenbaum, CEO
