Bnei Brak, Israel - First Women-Only Department Store
Bnei Brak, Israel - The first Israel's women-only department store has just opened. At first glance it looks like any other department store. Women browse busily through counters of make-up, household goods, clothes and underwear. But look again, and you'll spot the difference, there are no husbands or boyfriends waiting around. In fact, there's not a single man in sight, any male over the age of 10 who does inadvertently stray upstairs is swiftly removed.
And the customers appreciate the unique environment of a modern department store specifically designed for traditional, religious women. "I feel much more comfortable here because you don't have to worry about who is looking at you, " says Adina Slavin, an immigrant from Australia. "And the other modern malls are all full of clothes that aren't suitable for religious women like me."
Mariam Mashiach, out shopping with her 16-year old daughter for a new hat, plans to return. "I'd definitely recommend it to my friends," she says. "Hats are a sign of modesty for married women, and here you can try them on in peace without worrying that men will look at you and your uncovered hair."
The new store is owned by a 33-year old businessman, Yehuda Amar, who has previously been involved in building apartments. "Business is good, and it's better because it's women-only," he says. "It's what the people in this area want. They can look at the lingerie and make-up without worrying about men lurking behind them."
Manager Pnina Greenberg says the mall provides an important social service in an area where the men spend most of their day in prayer and the women have little opportunity to spoil themselves. "I see the satisfaction on their faces and the light in their eyes," she says. "Women are women wherever they are. It's in their nature to shop."
Already, there is a "kosher" mobile phone, approved by the country's rabbinical authorities, which blocks telephone numbers for sex and dating sites.
And those behind Israel's first women-only store believe that "shopping Bnei Brak" may well set a trend in the country.
And the customers appreciate the unique environment of a modern department store specifically designed for traditional, religious women. "I feel much more comfortable here because you don't have to worry about who is looking at you, " says Adina Slavin, an immigrant from Australia. "And the other modern malls are all full of clothes that aren't suitable for religious women like me."
Mariam Mashiach, out shopping with her 16-year old daughter for a new hat, plans to return. "I'd definitely recommend it to my friends," she says. "Hats are a sign of modesty for married women, and here you can try them on in peace without worrying that men will look at you and your uncovered hair."
The new store is owned by a 33-year old businessman, Yehuda Amar, who has previously been involved in building apartments. "Business is good, and it's better because it's women-only," he says. "It's what the people in this area want. They can look at the lingerie and make-up without worrying about men lurking behind them."
Manager Pnina Greenberg says the mall provides an important social service in an area where the men spend most of their day in prayer and the women have little opportunity to spoil themselves. "I see the satisfaction on their faces and the light in their eyes," she says. "Women are women wherever they are. It's in their nature to shop."
Already, there is a "kosher" mobile phone, approved by the country's rabbinical authorities, which blocks telephone numbers for sex and dating sites.
And those behind Israel's first women-only store believe that "shopping Bnei Brak" may well set a trend in the country.
posted by VOS IZ NEIAS @ 4/21/2006 07:17:00 AM
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