Adina Sash

Adina Miles Sash (born Esther Adina Miles) is an American Orthodox Jewish activist and social media influencer. Sash gained notability within Orthodox Judaism for her stage character, FlatbushGirl, on Instagram. Her comedic brand of activism focuses on the everyday lives of Orthodox Jewish women and their challenges with Jewish Law.[1][2]

Adina Sash
Born
Brooklyn, New York
Occupation
  • Comedian
  • activist

Early life and education

Sash was raised in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a master's degree in Medieval literature from Brooklyn College.[3] According to Sash, her online activism was born from her having received misogynistic comments, from fellow Orthodox Jews, during an attempt to start a marketing business.[2]

Career

#FrumWomenHaveFaces

In 2017, Sash launched a social media campaign #FrumWomenHaveFaces that went viral on social media which raised awareness of the practice of erasing women adopted by some Orthodox newspapers and magazines. Her campaign was covered in the NY Daily News and received the support of actress Mayim Bialik.[4][5] Sash's campaign tactics included purchasing a full-page ad in the Flatbush Jewish Journal thanking city councilman Chaim Deutsch for his service to the Jewish community, and when informed the paper would not allow her face to be shown or the word "girl" to be used in the title, Sash modified the ad so that an emoji covered her face and her moniker was changed from 'Flatbush Girl' to 'Flatbush Boy'.[6][1][7]

Runs for political office

In 2018, Sash ran for district leader in the 45th New York State Assembly District.[3][8][9] In 2019, Sash ran to replace the vacated seat of New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams, but finished in fourth place out of 21 candidates with 696 votes (7.16% of votes cast) after all absentee ballots were counted.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

Reception within the Orthodox Jewish community

Sash's reception within the Orthodox community has been mixed. Backlash to Sash's activism, centring on Orthodox norms of women's modesty, received significant media coverage.[16][17][18] Orthodox women's advocacy groups, including the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) and Chochmat Nashim, publicly supported Sash's activism.[19]

See also

References
  1. Durkin, Erin. "Orthodox Jewish mom and popular social media star uses emoji in fight for women's rights - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  2. "Flatbush Girl: Frum, Funny, Feminist, Instagram Influencer". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  3. Politics, Kings County (2018-07-23). "Interview: Frum FlatbushGirl Challenges For District Leader Seat". Kings County Politics. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  4. Adkins, Laura E. "Flatbush Girl Launches Modest Proposal: #FrumWomenHaveFaces". The Forward. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  5. Donnelly, Erin. "Mayim Bialik Calls Out "Absurd" Policy Of Blurring Out Women's Faces". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  6. Scott, Becky. "Mayim Bialik Doesn't Need Vocal Chords To Express Her Opinions". The Forward. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  7. Snow, Erica. "'Flatbush Girl' Pushes Back Over #FrumWomenHaveFaces Campaign". The Forward. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  8. Hanau, Shira (2019-03-19). "Running For City Council, 'Flatbush Girl' Defends Yeshivas". The New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  9. Israel, David. "When Flatbush Girl Does Politics She Shakes Multiple Status Quos". Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  10. The City of New York, Board Of Elections. "Kings Member of the City Council 45th Council District Recap" (PDF). Vote NYC. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  11. Brachfeld, Ben. "Crowded Field Forms for Special City Council Election to Replace Jumaane Williams". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  12. "Meet The Candidates Running For The 45th Council District (Updated) - BKLYNER". bklyner.com. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  13. "City Council special election set for month before primaries". am New York. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  14. Mena, Kelly (15 May 2019). "Farah Louis Wins The 45th City Council District Special Election". Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  15. "Farah Louis wins special election for City Council seat". Brooklyn Eagle. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  16. Lewak, Doree (2018-09-09). "Orthodox Jewish women slammed for wearing 'slutty' wigs". New York Post. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  17. "Orthodox Jewish women are being shamed for long 'slutty' wigs". RT International. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  18. "Orthodox Jewish woman told her long wigs are 'slutty'". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  19. Hanau, Shira. "Orthodox Instagram Star Reflects On Ugly Aftermath Of Social Media Campaign". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
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