Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Yiddish Signs Ordering Women To Make Way For Men In Williamsburg Taken Down
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 7, 2011
Modified Oct 11, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 7, 2011
Modified Oct 11, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Parks Department has reportedly removed colorful Yiddish street signs ordering women to stand aside and let men pass in the Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of South Willimasburg. Earlier this week, Failed Messiah reported that the signs—which are roughly translated as "Precious Jewish Daughter: Please move to the side when a man approaches!"—were nailed to trees along Bedford Avenue. Today the Brooklyn Paper reports that Parks maintenance workers removed 16 signs because they were nailed to trees.
Sources tell Brooklyn Paper that the signs are part of a campaign by one rabbinical group to enforce "modesty decrees" in the neighborhood. (Back in June, there was a campaign to make sure women weren't walking around wearing tank tops.) But these walking instruction signs appear to have made an impact—the Brooklyn Paper observed women stepping aside to let men pass, and one Hasidic woman explained, "Sometimes a gentle reminder is needed to keep the neighborhood the way it should be and that Jewish values are supposed to be followed."
How does the Parks Department expect to keep the streets from falling into mixed-gender chaos now?! At press time, precious bitches were utterly failing to move, get out the way.
Tagged
brooklyn
failed messiah
hasidim
orthodox jews
satmar
williamsburg
yiddish
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A NYC judge brought his gun into court for an ‘experiment’. Now he’s censured.
The state commission on judicial conduct said Judge Jeffrey A. Gershuny “acknowledged that his conduct was improper,” and added that he was “apologetic and cooperative.”
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
The Bronx is getting a new casino and a reimagined Ferry Point Park, too
Here's a look at designs for a redeveloped park, including new amenities, landscaping and other improvements.
By
Willow Higgins
News
The Bronx is getting a new casino and a reimagined Ferry Point Park, too
Here's a look at designs for a redeveloped park, including new amenities, landscaping and other improvements.
By
Willow Higgins
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
By
Jon Campbell
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .