A Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance, Last summer was my first experience in a predominantly secular environment as a teenager from an Orthodox Jewish background. I attended a small summer camp where the other girls wore casual summer outfits, which I had been taught were not aligned with my community’s values. In my world, adhering to modesty—known as tzniut—is very important, and it influences many aspects of daily life. Our community places great emphasis on how we dress, considering certain clothing choices as a reflection of respect for oneself and others……. See more
Last summer was my first experience in a predominantly secular environment as a teenager from an Orthodox Jewish background. I attended a small summer camp where the other girls wore casual summer outfits, which I had been taught were not aligned with my community’s values. In my world, adhering to modesty—known as tzniut—is very important, and it influences many aspects of daily life. Our community places great emphasis on how we dress, considering certain clothing choices as a reflection of respect for oneself and others.
Before arriving at camp, I had heard warnings about girls who didn’t share my values, often labeled as lacking self-respect. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that these girls were genuinely kind and welcoming. They treated each other and me with respect, regardless of our clothing choices. As I spent time with them, I realized that their worth was not determined by their attire. In fact, the friendships I formed there were some of the most meaningful I’d ever had.
This experience prompted me to reflect on my upbringing. I began to understand that my previous views on modesty might have unintentionally created a sense of shame about my body. The idea that I needed to cover up to be respected felt limiting. I recognized that true respect comes from recognizing one another’s character and intelligence, not from appearances. This summer taught me valuable lessons about acceptance, self-worth, and the importance of seeing beyond outward appearances. I left camp with a new perspective, eager to continue learning.
