What's In A Name?

Temple Emanu-El
nursery school students learn the stories
behind their Hebrew names.

JULIE WIENER StaffWriter

BILL HANSEN Photographer

T

Clockwise, top: Kayla Cohen shows off her name necklace.

Top, right: The children join Rabbi Klein on the bimah.

Right: Elliot Litt-man beams as his mom explains why his Hebrew
name was chosen.

Above: Elliot Litt-man points to his name on the board.

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emple Emanu-El's 4- and 5-year-olds recently played the
name game.
In a series of ceremonies for each class, Rabbi Joseph
(Yosef) Klein brought the children and their parents
onto the bimah to talk about their Hebrew names.
The parents explained the meaning of their child's Hebrew
name, and why they selected it. And the children received certifi-
cates and necklaces bearing a transliteration of their Hebrew
names.
"We all have
English names,
but what is so
special about the
Jewish people is
that we also have
Hebrew names
which connect us
to our heritage,"
says Michaelyn
(Malka)
Silverman,
Temple Emanu-El
Nursery School
director. "Often we're named after a beloved relative who has
passed away, so it is a way to remember the generations. And
unlike at a bris or simchat bat, at this ceremony the children are
old enough to be aware." LI

