From Provo to Midwood
I’ve spent a number of years in Provo, UT where the highest concentration of devout Mormons-Latter Day Saints (LDS) live. Then recently, I’ve spent several months in Midwood-Brooklyn, NY where there is a high concentration of Orthodox Jews. To my surprise, I observed that both of these very different religious groups shared a number of life habits that are strongly influenced by their faith and society. Here is a quick snapshot of some of the similarities and differences:
Major Life Purchases
Marriage within the faith and building a family are very important to both Orthodox Jews and Mormons. LDS families can be from 4 to 10 children, so a big house in an affordable neighborhood, an inexpensive mini-van, and a sturdy stroller are all major purchases. The Orthodox Jews I observed lived in Midwood, a fairly nice area and one of the more affordable places to live in the Five Burroughs. Family sizes appeared to be 3 to 5 with the older children following their mom and the sturdy stroller to their mini-van. The big difference here is Provo, UT families also drive big SUVs and you just don’t see those in NYC that often!
Clothing
Modesty is important to a number of cultures, but the extent or idea of what is modest can vary greatly. When it comes to keeping themselves covered, Mormon and Orthodox Jewish girls like to keep their shoulders, backs, busts, midsections, and knees covered.
As can be seen in the sketch above, both like three-quarters length sleeves, long skirts, and flats. The really interesting similarity between the two groups is the adaptation of immodest-spaghetti strapped tops over a longer sleeved shirt! Naturally the differences are apparent as well. The Orthadox Jewish girls would be in their skirts every day, but LDS girls do not wear skirts all the time. Also, these Jewish ladies mostly stuck to white, gray, black, and maybe navy blue clothing, and usually no heels or flip-flops.
As for the men, they all wore suits with white shirts and ties. The big differences are the religious clothing worn on the head (Yamaka) and outside of the suits for the Orthodox Jewish men, and the religious clothing worn underneath the suits for the older Mormon men.
Courting
Again, marriage and family are extremely important so courtship must happen, but it occurs under strict observance and with propriety. I remember a young 13-year-old Provo boy who had a crush on a 13-year-old Provo girl. Since they were too young to date (the dating age is at 16) they were given permission to take a stroll around the neighborhood. An innocent flirting conversation and perhaps the thrill of holding hands would make their courtship walk a superb one. Fast-forward years later, and to Midwood, NY. The same cute courtship can be seen among the young Orthodox Jewish teenagers. Family and neighbors keep them under close observation as the teens stroll around the blocks and hope to clasp hands when no one is looking.
Food
Being Kosher means restrictions on what can be eaten and when. In Midwood you’ll find dairy based bakery shops only a block or two away from each other on a main street. There are an abundance of these bakeries and yet they are frequented daily. Provo saints steer clear of coffee, alcohol, and tea. And so, the stimulants of choice tend to be sugar and dairy-fat items. Bakeries, cookie stores, Ice Cream, and Malt shops are popular and always packed.
The Sabbath
The Sabbath day is a day of rest, religious observance, and no shopping. In Midwood, stores and shops shut down early on Friday night, as it is time for Shabbat. The Sabbath technically begins at sundown on Friday and doesn’t end till sundown on Saturday. During that time interval, the Midtown neighborhood is like a ghost-town, you’ll have to go out of the area for some fun and food.
Same ghost-town effect happens in Provo except it occurs on Sunday. Even though Mormons do not have a strict rule about when the Sabbath starts, the city of Provo gets pretty sleepy at 9:00pm on Saturday. For fun and food, LDS rebels must escape to the Mexican and Vietnamese areas of West Valley.
Conclusion…
All of these similarities may seem frivolous on the surface. Yes, these faiths have many more differences than similarities. And, a number of Jewish groups would repel the idea of being related to Christians, and especially the sect of Christians know as Mormons. But perhaps something as simple as clothing, food, and mini-vans can help the two different populations to appreciate the goals and challenges that they share.
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As a student studying anthropology I appreciated your approach to the topic. I too have spent time in both areas and thought you predominately spot on. I certainly didn’t see many Mormons wearing the formal regalia (suits and white shirts for males and skirts or dresses for the women)you described very often, usually only on their Sabbath day. Also, when I was in Provo for a year I didn’t encounter a single sleepy Saterday night, at least not before midnight. It certainly settles down significantly after that, especially for a collage town. Those wishing for more of a night life actually head to downtown Salt Lake City, not West Valley. I thought it was very interesting how many similarities between the two denominations you were able to present. Great post!
This is a great post. I really like the comparisons you were able to point out from first hand experience. How many Mormon’s have lived in a Jewish Orthodox community and vice versa? Not being either, I am always amazed at how both religious sects are among the fastest growing. In this crazy world you would think that the girls would want to sneak off and wear shorts or hold hands. They might (like my 13 year old Orthodox cousin did and got in BIG trouble) but they always go back to the community that they love.
Actually, religious undergarments are yet one more thing Mormons and Jews have in common. Although Jewish women do not wear special undergarments, Jewish men do. It’s a four-cornered fringed undergarment called tsitsit.