Within These Walls

As Orthodox Jews and Conservative Republicans, Karen and I have discovered that our values align closely with Conservative Christians of all denominations. In fact, Karen and I agree that we have far more in common with Conservative Christians than with liberal, secular Jews.

Values transcend tribalism.

I have a particular weakness for nuns. One of my most rewarding projects was a film for Showtime, Within These Walls, starring Ellen Burstyn and Laura Dern. It’s about Sister Pauline, who pioneered a project for female prisoners to train dogs for the disabled. I was, to say the least, skeptical of the program. It sounded like one of those do-good liberal projects that have lovely intentions but crash and burn in the real world. Soon, and much to my delight, I discovered that the program is a success. I spent a good deal of time in a female prison doing primary research. And don’t let Orange is the New Black fool you. Women’s prisons are not like a Barnard dorm. They are a Hobbesian universe.

I also interviewed Sister Pauline at length. She was a fascinating woman, horribly damaged in her youth by unspeakable abuse, but rescued, she told me, by her love for Jesus and the companionship of dogs.

There’s another thing that really gets me about nuns: their outfits. I think the traditional garb, in all its permutations, are fashionable. The flowing silhouette, exacting proportions, and limited color palette are the uniform of faith. Fashion that transcends fashion. The liberal nuns who strut about in jeans and Betty Friedan t-shirts are a bore.

A nun in a mantle and wimple gets my immediate attention and respect.

Anyhoo.

Obama and the Democrats are going to war against the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic order who do more good in one hour than Barack Obama has done in his entire career. And no matter the outcome in court, Obama and the Democrats lose.

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