Summer is just moments away, and with it come seemingly endless days of fun, relaxation, and…heat. We Floridians know all about heat. Scorching sunshine, warm stale breezes, and indescribable humidity that feels like a too-heavy blanket. But the truth is, wherever you spend your summer, uncomfortably warm weather is unavoidable. Staying modest when the sun is blazing can be a challenge, but there are ways to both stay cool and look cool all summer long.

Dress for success: Long, flowy maxi skirts are a great way to stay chill when the temperatures begin to rise. Look for light summery colors and pair with loose three-quarter sleeve tops that will keep those balmy breezes (yeah, right) circulating.

Plan your day wisely: Fresh air is good for you, even in the summer, so definitely try to get outside a little. But only a little. If you absolutely HAVE TO be outside, make sure to go swimming often and stay hydrated. Then reward yourself with a long shower and spend the rest of the day in your cold, air-conditioned house.

And if neither of those work…

Mind over matter: This trick was a gift from my father, who taught me to “think warm” on our long walks to shul in the snow (no, I didn’t grow up in Florida). I’m not sure if thinking warm actually worked, but I am pretty sure that having a positive attitude can really turn things around.

So, as your last final exam ends and your summer begins, remember to stay cool, think cool, and keep a positive attitude! Have an enjoyable and meaningful summer.

– Mrs. Horowitz

“Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out” -Anonymous

The Gemara relates the story of when Caesar’s daughter met Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Chananya. Rabbi Yehoshua was widely known for both his erudition as well as his ugliness. When the princess first saw Rabbi Yehoshua she was appalled and asked him, rather tactlessly, “Why are you SO ugly? How could someone so scholarly be so unattractive?”
Rabbi Yehoshua gave a strange answer, which seemed as if he was dodging her question. He replied, “What sort of vessels does your father, Caesar, keep his wine in?” The princess answered, “Caesar stores his wine in clay pottery”. Rabbi Yehoshua retorted, “Is pottery fitting for a king?! Certainly a king should keep his wine in gold and silver vessels!”
Upon hearing this the princess realized how common it was to keep wine in pottery and immediately had all of her father’s wine transferred into vessels of royalty– gold and silver. A while later, when Caesar requested a drink, he tasted the wine and it was spoiled. All of his wine was spoiled! Caesar demanded an explanation. All of his staff faulted the princess, and the princess faulted Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya.
It was with this that Rabbi Yehoshua finally answered the princess’s original question. He explained, “When the vessel becomes more important than what it contains, it spoils its contents.”
With this the princess understood. There is inherent value to beauty; however, external beauty must serve the purpose of enhancing internal beauty and not overpowering the inner beauty and detracting from it.
The purpose of dressing with style should be for the sake of modesty. As intelligent Jewish girls, no one should want to be judged on face value. We want people to see our external selves and be intrigued to look further at our even more beautiful internal selves. Style is a tool used to create depth. Perhaps the quote we began with was actually authored by none other than Rabbi Yehoshua.

– Mrs. Michal Zisquit