SARTORIAL HERESY. What Not To Wear For
Funerals
By A. Rose.
IT IS NOT OFTEN that I afford myself
the "luxury" of rushing into print, even your excellent variety of
it. One reason is, that normally, while I may have the inclination, I haven't
the time. But recently, as luck would have it, I found plenty of time on my
hands, having been told by my doctor to stay put for a few days. I was thus
provided with a splendid opportunity of getting something off my currently
wheezy chest. I make no apology for what I write and not even the anticipated
shower of bricks deters me from writing something about which I feel, very
strongly indeed. I can only modestly hope that it may have some effect. If not,
I shall at least have the satisfaction of transferring my honest feelings to
where they rightly belong. You will, by now, he asking me to "get on with
it then", so I will.
I have attended, during the past twelve
months or so, the funerals of three of our well-known Jewish citizens. In each
case there was present a good number of prominent Christian gentlemen, in
addition to relatives and friends of the respective deceased. In each case, I
was appalled, to put it mildly, at the lack of sartorial decorum, to coin a
phrase, of a large number of the Jewish Community, Dark Suits and overcoats,
even black ties, were quite conspicuous by their absence. Some of the outfits
worn were more suited to the racecourse and showed up in pathetic contrast to
those worn-out of respect for the deceased, and the occasion by our non-Jewish
friends. Flamboyant ties light suits, ditto overcoats were most prolific and
believe it or not, saw, on two occasions, sports coats and flannel trousers and
brown suede shoes. One well-known member of the Community looked reason- ably
O.K., as to his top half of "Anthony Eden" hat and dark overcoat,!
until I spotted his wait for it-Corduroy Trousers. Ugh!! 1 shall need a lot of
convincing that the culprits do not possess a dark suit and/or Overcoat, for Yontovdicka
wear, at least. In any case, surely they possess black or dark ties for such
occasions. I came away fully convinced that they would not dare to go to their
poker parties in such array. Should they not have an equally suitable sense of
sartorial propriety for a funeral as say, for a wedding, ball, dance, or
what-have-you?
I AM CONCERNED not so much about the
actual "sartorial heresy," as the awful impression I feel sure it
must have left on our non-Jewish friends. I don't have to remind you that
notwithstanding the "Jews are my best friends" nonsense, the subject
of this article, is definitely calculated to give them a grand opportunity to
have a dig or laugh at us. Jews are supposed to be able to afford everything
and "everything" should include the necessary apparel for
"paying last respects. On one occasion, I recall standing a few yards away
from a group of suitably attired non-Jews, outside the house of mourning. Just
then a couple of our own fraternity, typical examples of the sartorial in--
capacity 1 refer to, passed them. I do not exaggerate in the least, in trying to interpret the looks on the
faces of the former, which plainly said, "Heavens, these Jews can get away
with anything." (or, "Heavens, have these Jews no respect for their
dead?"
I am well aware that traditionally, we
are not supposed to wear "mourning." But surely, in these modern
times, it is not asking too much to expect the observance of a modicum of
sartorial propriety. if only out of respect for, and appreciation of, the
presence of so many of our non-Jewish friends. Not only am I concerned with the
actual question of "dress-sense" indicated, but also with the good
reputation of my fellow Jews.
I am reminded that our respected Rav of
Cardiff, is also concerned about the lack of dress decorum on such occasions,
when men come. along, not only without hats but have such an amazing lack of
some-thing-or-other as to wear yamalkies, or still worse, handkerchiefs on
their heads.
Well, may we ask, where do we go from
here?
%20%20Peoples%20Collection%20Wales%20-%20Google%20Chrome%203022023%2084405%20PM.jpg)
%E2%80%94Journalist,%20Celebrity,%20and%20the%20Forgotten%20Man%20of%20the%20Munich%20Disaster%20on%20JSTOR%20-%20Google%20Chrome%203022023%20104920%20PM.jpg)
