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Conservative Judaism/Hebrew Name
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Question
There is no one living in my family that can remember if I was given a Hebrew name. My son is going to be married and I will be asked for my Hebrew name, so I feel I need to create one. I know I was named for my grandfather. Can you help me create an appropriate Hebrew name?
Dear Zelda,
Thanks for writing.
First of all, your "English" or secular name is frequently used in Yiddish as a Jewish name. It is really a variant of either Anglo-Saxon or Middle English of "Selda."
What was your grandfather's English or Jewish/Hebrew name? I can then use a book which "transforms" male to female names to provide you with alternatives from which you can select your new name as a permanent Jewish name.
BTW if you have a copy of your ketuba, the documant from your marriage, the name that is yours in that document is your Jewish name and should be used. You can offer it to the Rabbi officiating at your son's marriage and he can read it for you if you are unable. Just another suggestion.
Best wishes and congratulations on your forthcoming simcha.
Rabbi Dov
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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Expertise
Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience
I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
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