Sarah 1

No computers here of course, all record keeping is by hand. I've just finished checking in all the returned library books, have loaded my cart. With a contented sigh, I realize borrowings are a way up. That would be because of the generosity of those American Jews, sending that big book shipment to us.
My reverie is interrupted by a loud commotion outside. Looking out, I see a dozen girls, all maybe eleven or twelve, are holding onto an outsider woman, arguing vigorously. Better go check before there is trouble - again.
There is not a lot of real communication happening, despite all the shouting. See our girls know very poor Hebrew; daily language and language in our school is Yiddish. The outsider woman also knows poor Hebrew; likely a foreigner, definitely not a secular Israeli.
"What's happening?" I ask.
With a wicked smile, the ringleader turns to me, "caught another prostitute on our Development. Sent Tzipi to get her mother's scissors."
Exactly what we don't need. Not another attack on us in the press. The elders are most strict on this, tell people not to use any force, simply explain the rules. This is unlikely to work, parroting this same line to the girls. They've heard it all before; just ignore it. Better if I can find some way to shame or convince the girls.
With a cheerful smile, I ask, "mind if I talk with her?"
The ringleader grimaces, "you'd better, we need a translator."
Now this outsider (foreigner?) is wearing a sundress, definitely not see through. Sleeves are just a bit above the elbow, hem just above the knees. Anywhere else (including a hundred meters away) this would be considered modest attire. Not here.
Gently I ask, "can you read Hebrew? Or maybe English?"
"Yes of course. I saw your sign."
"Then why did you not obey it?"
"I'm not from here. I thought this was acceptable clothing. It's such a long way to walk around, thought it was ok to just walk through."
I sigh, "round here, there's two standards. For us, very strict, sleeves must go to the wrist, hem to the ankles, no collarbone showing. Now for any outsiders, we're a lot more easy going. We only insist the elbows and knees be covered. So, you're not really that far off. Do you suppose you could give me your word, dress proper in future or walk around?"
"Yes I could promise that."
"So where you from? Your Hebrew is atrocious."
She laughs easily, "oh yeah? It's actually better than yours. New York."
"On vacation?"
"Visiting my aunt, complex over there," she points.
Switching to Yiddish I turn to the girls, "perhaps we should remember a few things. See without all the generous help we get from American Jews, life would be a lot harder here. Every one of your mothers comes to the library. Just ask them how much better it is after we got those 80 boxes of books sent to us. Y'all like to play ping pong, over at the Rec Center. Guess who bought the tables? Or maybe those US Department of Agriculture flour sacks. All there because American Jews lobbied on our behalf. The sidewalk lighting, guess who paid for it. So..."
The ringleader gasps, "you mean to say she's American?"
"Yes, just imagine what the press would say after you cut all her hair off."
It's now a cacophony of noise as all the girls do their best to apologize to the American. Yes things will be ok in future.