From the time I was two years old, I'd lived in the White Oak neighborhood in Silver Springs, Maryland. At first glance my neighborhood seems like a typical suburban, upper middle class town. What makes life unique here is that it is a homogenous community comprised of religious Jews. Orthodox Jews tend to adhere to a religious law stricter than other Jewish sects. These laws bar writing and electricity use on the Sabbath and impose restrictions on diet and dress. Since the majority of White Oak’s residents hold these beliefs, they transcend the boundaries of the home and are visible throughout the community. Women dress modestly in skirts and long sleeve shirts and men wear head coverings. Beyond these visual signs, the majority of the town’s children-myself included-attend private parochial schools. By living in White Oak, Maryland I feel more connected to my Jewish heritage that I otherwise would not feel if I lived in a smaller Jewish neighborhood. The everyday clothing worn by orthodox Jews is distinctive and brings me back to visions of pictures of my great grandmother and the way she would dress. Women cover their hair with either hats or wigs, wear loose fitting skirts that fall past their knees, and shirts that are loose and cover their collar bone and wrists. This is done in the effort to make sure they do not appear desirable to anyone other than their own spouses. For the women and children who don’t have spouses, they too dress in this fashion in preparation for a hopeful future with a spouse of their own. They will also wear colors that will prevent them from attracting attention or appear flashy. Orthodox Jewish men will regularly wear a covering on their head, which is called a kippa, a white long sleeve button down shirt, and a dark color pair of pants. They too try to avoid being noticed. This self imposed dress code is important in the community because it ensures that one will be able to identify one another