What's in a name?

So, what is in a name?

I have been called a religious Jew, a Conservative Jew, an Ashkenazi [European] Jew - while these may all be true, I do not categorize myself with just these labels. I have been thinking about self-definition quite a bit lately. For me as a Jew by Choice, I have more freedom defining who I am in the Jewish world than many of those who were born Jews. Yes, I consider myself a religious Jew, a Conservative Jew, an Ashkenazi Jew - but mostly, I would consider myself a Masorti Jew.

So, what do you ask is the difference between a Conservative Jew and a Masorti Jew? Well, it is true that they are often placed under the same umbrella - Conservative in America and Canada and Masorti everywhere else, I do see some differences. A few examples: 1) Masorti do not permit driving on Shabbat [Jewish Sabbath] or Yomim Tovim [religious holidays]; 2) does not permit (or at least frowns upon) using electricity on Shabbat; 3) does not permit openly gay/lesbian students to be ordained as rabbis or cantors; and 4) does not permit "commitment ceremonies" for gay/lesbian Jews.

Masorti means "traditional" and this is how I self-define as a Jew. I have a lot of misgivings about the Conservative movement and how far to the left it has slid in the last 10+ years. I find the weakening of halachick [Jewish legal] decisions and religious commitment to be bothersome and - frankly - anti-Jewish. I define myself as a Jew who is committed to halachah and Torah and to religious commitment. If I define myself as such a Jew then I can only categorize myself as Masorti since Conservative (in my opinion) really only means a movement that is only slightly right of the Reform movement and quickly sliding away from Torah and halachah.

I do not mean to belittle Conservative Jews (or any Jews for that matter) but I am reaching a point in my spiritual quest as a Jew by Choice where I must take a stand and define who I am and how I relate to Torah, G-d, and my fellow Jews. For me, this stand starts with self-definition and that definition is as a Masorti Jew.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

A Practical Perspective: How to Pick a Hebrew Name

Converts have always selected Hebrew names that speak to them personally; Ruth has long been a favorite for obvious reasons. [Ruth, the grandmother of King David, is perhaps the Bible's best-known convert.] Most converts choose a biblical name. There are 2,800 personal names in the Hebrew Bible, and although fewer than five percent of those are in current use, all of them are yours to consider.

As a convert, I was blessed with being able to choose my own Hebrew name. I chose a double first-name in consultation with my rabbi. My Hebrew name is רחל אסתּר בּת אברהם ו שׂרה Rachel-Esther bat-Avraham v'Sara [Rachel-Esther the daughter of Abraham and Sarah]. Converts are considered orphans under Jewish law and we are "adopted" by Avraham and Sara.

I chose the name רחל [Rachel] because she was the mother of Yosef haTzaddik [Joseph the Righteous] and also because she cried for her children (the Jews) and was only comforted by G-d when she was told that even though her children would go into the galut [exile], they would return to Eretz Yisrael [Land of Israel]. I chose the name אסתּר [Esther] for her strength and wisdom. She, along with her cousin Mordechai, saved the Jews from the evil Haman.

Choosing a Hebrew name should not be taken lightly. Consultation with the rabbi and thoroughly exploring Hebrew names are essential for all converts. This Hebrew name will be used in all religious functions (e.g. being called for aliyah [saying a blessing over the Torah]) as well as on a Ketubah [marriage contract]. Choose well, and live up to the name you chose.