Dress for Success

This week, we’re getting into the festive Purim spirit.

Our first guest is fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, who tells us about growing up gay in Brooklyn’s Syrian Jewish community, how his years at Yeshivah of Flatbush instilled in him a strong work ethic, and getting his first taste of high fashion at synagogue. For more from Isaac, check out his memoir, I.M. (You can read Adam Kirsch’s review for Tablet here.)

Next Stephanie talks to Simi Polonsky and Chaya Chanin, the sisters behind The Frock NYC, which offers high-end, unique, modest clothing. They tell us about growing up Orthodox in Australia and bristling against the restrictive clothing conventions of their religious community, and explain why they believe being modest and fashionable aren’t mutually exclusive.

Finally, Rabbi Ari Lamm returns to the show to offer a truly unexpected take on the Purim story.

Let us know what you think of the show. Email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 914-570-4869.

Come see us on tour!

March 12 – Boca Raton, Florida: Book talk with Stephanie and Liel
March 17 – Long Island, New York: Book talk with Stephanie
March 19 – Virginia Beach, Virginia: Unorthodox live show

Like the book? Leave us a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

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“Declaring Israel’s Independence” is a free online course from the Tikvah Fund, taught by historian Martin Kramer. Immerse yourself in this sweeping study of the most dramatic days of 1948, when Israel’s founders tackled the deepest questions of Zionist statecraft as they wrote Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Enroll today at Declaration.TikvahFund.org/Tablet.

Unorthodox is a smart, fresh, fun weekly take on Jewish news and culture hosted by Mark Oppenheimer, Stephanie Butnick, and Liel Leibovitz. You can listen to individual episodes here or subscribe on iTunes.