How are Jews like Muslims? Answer: in both cases some sects ban women from driving. We know about that ban in Wahhabi Saudi Arabia, but now one group of Jews—British Jews—have done the same thing. According to the Jewish Chronicle, a group of Orthodox Hasidic Jews has issued a Jewish fatwa against women driving. And the reasons are pretty much the same as those adduced in Saudi Arabia:

The British leaders of a major Chasidic sect have declared that women should not be allowed to drive.

In a letter sent out last week, Belz rabbis said that having female drivers goes against “the traditional rules of modesty in our camp” and against the norms of Chasidic institutions.

Not only that, but it’s now prohibited for mothers of this sect to drive their kids to school. If they do, the kids get kicked out!

. . . from August, children would be barred from their schools if their mothers drove them there. According to the letter — which was signed by leaders from Belz educational institutions and endorsed by the group’s rabbis — there has been an increased incidence of “mothers of pupils who have started to drive” which has led to “great resentment among parents of pupils of our institutions”. They said that the Belzer Rebbe in Israel, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach, has advised them to introduce a policy of not allowing pupils to come to their schools if their mothers drive.

As far as I can see, these are not government-supported “faith schools,” but are still monitored by the government:

Compared with some of the most conservative Chasidic sects, Belz are seen as relatively moderate and while some Charedi schools in London have struggled with inspections, both their main boys and girls schools, Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass and Beis Malka, are rated “good” by Ofsted.

Dina Brawer, a member of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (now there’s a group with a tough job!) has correctly analyzed this as “the instinct behind such a draconian ban is one of power and control, of men over women. In this sense it is no different from the driving ban on women in Saudi Arabia. That it masquerades as a halachic imperative is shameful and disturbing.” But of course the women themselves, indoctrinated in their faith, defend this as a good thing:

In response to coverage of the story, the local Belz’s women’s organisation Neshei Belz issued a statement to say that they felt “extremely privileged and valued to be part of a community where the highest standards of refinement, morality and dignity are respected. We believe that driving a vehicle is a high pressured activity where our values may be compromised by exposure to selfishness, road-rage, bad language and other inappropriate behaviour.” They added,”We do, however, understand that there are many who conduct lifestyles that are different to ours, and we do not, in any way, disrespect them or the decisions they make.”

Seriously, “refinement, morality, and dignity”? What age are we living in? This reminds me of Muslim women defending their hijabs, niqabs, and burqas. The worst part is punishing children whose mothers want to drive them to school. What if the men are busy in shul, davening and praying? If you’re indoctrinated in the faith, you’ll internalize its values.

Just think of all the contributions that the men and women of this faith would make if they’d give up their silly superstitions, stop the incessant ritual and prayer, and let women follow their dreams instead of the lives dictated to them from the moment they’re born.