Media mogul meets with religious women in Brooklyn to discuss Jewish lifestyle, sexual practices
Ynet
A lesson in kosher sex: Media mogul Oprah Winfrey recently met with two Jewish families in order to learn more about the lifestyle and culture of Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn.
Her experience will be aired on an upcoming Oprah Winfrey network show titled „First Look: America’s Hidden Culture.”
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The show aims to shed light on some of the more private aspects of Hasidic Jews’ way of life and will feature religious women from Brooklyn discussing life, marriage and motherhood.
Shterna Ginsberg, 38, one of the women featured in the show, cynically addressed the infamous „hole In the sheet” myth, saying „that was how the more lenient Jews had sex, while the stricter Jews had sex through fax and email.” She explained that according to Jewish law, there cannot be a partition between the couple.
Tovi, 40, explained to Winfrey the concept behind the halachic law stating men and women cannot touch each other during the two weeks surrounding a women’s period. She said that the bond between the couple becomes more significant, because for two weeks they can only communicate through spiritual means rather than physical.
In an interview Oprah later gave to the website Chabad.Org, the talk show queen said to Rabbi Motti Seligson: „This religion is so family-oriented. The core of the belief system is about bringing families together.”
Winfrey told the rabbi that she was always intimidated by Hasidic Jews „with their long beards and big hats,” adding that she never had a chance to speak with a Hassid, thinking it was not allowed. „We are more alike than we are different,” Winfrey added in the interview.
“The moment I walked into the Ginsberg’s home. I felt welcomed. I felt a sense of warmth. A sense of family, comfort, and value,” she said.
Winfrey could not stop admiring the status of the Hasidic woman and the Jewish family values. She said that she always thought the religious women were subjected to paternalistic dictations, but today she learned that contrary to what people might think, women signify the core of the household.
Winfrey pointed out that none of the Hasidic children had heard of Beyonce, Mickey Mouse or Shrek and found it to be refreshing. “It is amazing to me, that right across from Manhattan, there is a whole world of children who are not doing that and are happy fulfilled and loved.”
The star then hoped that the American public will watch the show and witness an American family of nine, where none of the children spend hours on the computer or television. She criticized American kids for spending so many hours playing with their smart phones and tablets, while commending Brooklyn Jews for dedicating so much time to their family.