Outraged parents: Are we in Iran?

Parents of students who attend the Roee Klein Religious High School in Ra'anana were outraged Wednesday, after receiving a letter from the school detailing its new strict dress-code.

The letter demanded that all the male students wear only "long, respectable trousers to school. Track suits, pajama-like pants, torn pants or any kind of loud pattern is forbidden." All trousers, added the letter, must be fitted and belted.

All students, continued the letter, are required to wear their school shirts at all times, with the exception of the girls, who would be allowed to wear them only in gym class. The boys are also required to wear their fringed garment at all times, "for it is God's mark on man's clothes."

The students were also instructed to appear wearing "a real kippa, preferably one that at least looks homemade, not one that looks like it was given to them by the kosher inspector at some wedding."

Coming soon to a high school near you? (Illustration photo: AP)

Next, the letter tackled the students' haircuts: "Students are required to wear their hair in a Jewish manner – cut short and above the ears. Ponytails for boys, spikes, stripes, hair gel or any other style which resembles those customary in foreign schools will be unacceptable."

The students' shoes were honored with their very own section, and while sneakers are acceptable, flip-flops or Crocs were strictly forbidden.

The parents called an emergency meeting on the matter and some of them filed official complaints with the Ra'anana Municipality. One parent wondered aloud: "What is this? Are we in Iran?"

"The school has always had a dress code. Some of the parents are just parents of new students and they found the requirement to be a problem. The headmaster is scheduled to meet with them and explain to them what is required of students in a religious high school," said a volunteer at the high school.

The Ra'anana Municipality issued a statement saying that "representatives of the City's educational division will set a meeting with both the parents and the school's administration in an attempt to reach a suitable and acceptable solution."