Faux pas at the Jewish Community Center?

[Anonymous]

I took my toddler to a swim class at the JCC, and wore my usual bathing suit, a relatively conservative two piece, as far as two piece bathing suits go. Not a string bikini or anything, just an ordinary bra-style top and full-coverage bottom. I was BY FAR the most exposed person there; the next most-uncovered woman was wearing a regular tank suit, and coverage increased from there.

There was nothing in the rules or guidelines about "modesty", and I don't think all the other women there were religiously conservative. I know plenty of Jewish women who let it all hang out at the regular pool. Did I miss something? Will obviously wear something else next week.

[Anonymous]

Wait, are you wondering if you were dressed too scandalously for a toddler swim class because it was at a Jewish pool? No, Jews don't require modesty at the pool. Unless it is a pool in the Hasidic neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It was either that the other moms were less comfortable with their bodies, having nothing to do with their religion, or they didn't feel the need to wear a bikini to a swim class. I think you are over thinking this.

[Anonymous]

It's no problem at all. You're fine. It's possible that a more conservative play group decided to go swimming, but that's it.

[Anonymous]

I doubt this has anything to do with the Jewish Center. I think most moms of toddlers are going to feel more comfortable in a one piece or tankini. I do wear a bikini sometimes, but my toddler's swim class is not when I usually break one out.

I probably wouldn't have thought you were dressed inappropriately or anything. Just not how I would have felt comfortable.

[Anonymous]

While you may want to wear a tank swimsuit next time solely for the purpose of fitting in, please don't wear it because you did anything wrong. You didn't.

Just if you get invited to a Shabbat dinner, don't wear a top that shows boob.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Much appreciated. I'm usually comfortable in my bathing suit, but realized at the swim lesson how much that comfort has to do with the company. At the regular outdoor pool, my attire seems right in line, or even a bit more conservative than the average. (There are a lot of butts on parade out there, and I just can't do it.) This was the first time my timid little two-piece seemed risque compared to those around me! I was afraid there was an unspoken rule at the JCC, like how you can't (or shouldn't) go in to a church in Europe with bare shoulders.

[Anonymous]

I took my toddler to one of the classes for the first time last wknd & wore a boring tankini, solely bc I was afraid my toddler would be nervous & squirmy and grab at my suit, as he's not quite sure about big pools yet. Otherwise I absolutely would have worn more like what you described.

[Anonymous]

I think of a two piece for sunning and leisure. For a swim class I am wearing something more..

[Anonymous]

Have you been on a beach in Israel? There is nothing modest going on there.

[Anonymous]

I go to a pool in a Jewish neighborhood and in a tankini am often the most exposed person there. Most of the moms are wearing rashguards and shorts.

Its not offensive to wear the bikini - go however you feel comfortable and they will go how they feel comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are you wondering if you were dressed too scandalously for a toddler swim class because it was at a Jewish pool? No, Jews don't require modesty at the pool. Unless it is a pool in the Hasidic neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It was either that the other moms were less comfortable with their bodies, having nothing to do with their religion, or they didn't feel the need to wear a bikini to a swim class. I think you are over thinking this.

Whoa, take it down a notch.

The poster is trying to be culturally sensitive. And it's not just the hasidim who dress more modestly, as you certainly know. Plenty of orthodox and conservative Jewish women dress more modestly than the average in this country.

So don't chew out someone who is really just trying to show some respect for custom in a JCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are you wondering if you were dressed too scandalously for a toddler swim class because it was at a Jewish pool? No, Jews don't require modesty at the pool. Unless it is a pool in the Hasidic neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It was either that the other moms were less comfortable with their bodies, having nothing to do with their religion, or they didn't feel the need to wear a bikini to a swim class. I think you are over thinking this.

Whoa, take it down a notch.

The poster is trying to be culturally sensitive. And it's not just the hasidim who dress more modestly, as you certainly know. Plenty of orthodox and conservative Jewish women dress more modestly than the average in this country.

So don't chew out someone who is really just trying to show some respect for custom in a JCC.

NP here. How is this chewing her out? She answered the question. You seem very sensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are you wondering if you were dressed too scandalously for a toddler swim class because it was at a Jewish pool? No, Jews don't require modesty at the pool. Unless it is a pool in the Hasidic neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It was either that the other moms were less comfortable with their bodies, having nothing to do with their religion, or they didn't feel the need to wear a bikini to a swim class. I think you are over thinking this.

Whoa, take it down a notch.

The poster is trying to be culturally sensitive. And it's not just the hasidim who dress more modestly, as you certainly know. Plenty of orthodox and conservative Jewish women dress more modestly than the average in this country.

So don't chew out someone who is really just trying to show some respect for custom in a JCC.

I don't think pp "chewed out" the op. I think you sound hypersensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are you wondering if you were dressed too scandalously for a toddler swim class because it was at a Jewish pool? No, Jews don't require modesty at the pool. Unless it is a pool in the Hasidic neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It was either that the other moms were less comfortable with their bodies, having nothing to do with their religion, or they didn't feel the need to wear a bikini to a swim class. I think you are over thinking this.

Whoa, take it down a notch.

The poster is trying to be culturally sensitive. And it's not just the hasidim who dress more modestly, as you certainly know. Plenty of orthodox and conservative Jewish women dress more modestly than the average in this country.

So don't chew out someone who is really just trying to show some respect for custom in a JCC.

Jewish women who dress modestly would not be wearing a swimsuit to begin with.

[Anonymous]

I took my kid to classes at swim kids in Gainesville and most of the moms (myself included) were in one-pieces or tankinis. Like others have implied, I think of bikinis for laying out and wear a more "functional" suit for classes, laps, etc.

Was it at the JCCNV? For an indoor pool I personally would see even less reason to wear a bikini...