This is an open letter to all women, young women, shul rabbeim, rebbetzins and mechanchos. It even applies to those who run “frum” malls and halls.
There is a growing problem in our shuls and at other gatherings. This issue is the use of perfumes and other body fragrances. This may seem odd to some reading this message; however, let me assure you that it is an issue.
There are members of your shul, in your activities, in the classes you teach, and other “closed venues” who have asthma and allergies to most fragrances. Just when people are setting aside their Covid masks and hoping to breathe freely, the masks are once again being pulled out to filter the air.
Fragrances can cause migraines, stuffed and/or runny noses, difficulty breathing, lung issues, eye irritation and more.
As I sit each week in shul I enjoy being maskless – right up until someone comes in wearing a fragrance. One person on my right, one behind me, one in front of me, and I have to move my seat (my makom kavuah). And there really is nowhere to go. If I move to the back of the women’s section, everyone who comes in or makes a trip out passes by and the fragrance wafts. I go home with itchy eyes (can’t put a mask over my eyes) and feeling miserable. I cannot attend kiddush. I have trouble attending any activities from the shul (and other venues) due to fragrances.
I have noticed that there are no reminders sent Erev Yom Kippur and Erev Tisha B’Av about the forbidden “anointing” with fragrances. I have noticed that recently the high school students have discovered perfumes.
As a professor at a university for the past 20+ years, I clearly state at the top of my syllabus that my classroom is a “fragrance free zone.”
Perfumes date back to biblical times when hygiene was lacking. Perfumes and oils were used to cover body odor when bathing was minimal. Please, take a bath and avoid using perfume. (And save lots of money.)
I am reminded of a poster which came out just as France embargoed Israeli gunboats (1969). It read “French Perfume Stinks.” At that time, Jewish women were encouraged to boycott French perfume.
Please have some consideration for those around you.
