Jewish Teacher/student named Adonai

[Anonymous]

I need some help here. I'm a public school teacher who just learned my new Kindergarten student's name is Adonai. I even feel weird writing the word. I don't feel comfortable saying that name outside of prayer. Considering calling her by her last name...Miss ______. WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Please let this be a troll.

[Anonymous]

I'm actually a little pissed off. I don't mind people naming their kids whatever they want, but this smacks of ignorance and disrespect.

[Anonymous]

Not a troll.

[Anonymous]

It might not matter much to you, but it does to me.

[Anonymous]

I would have a big issue with that, too. I think you should talk to your administration about how to handle it.

I have never heard of that before.

[Anonymous]

Can you explain the significance for those of us who don't recognize the word?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you explain the significance for those of us who don't recognize the word?

it's a Hebrew name for God

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you explain the significance for those of us who don't recognize the word?

It means our lord— it’s a standard term for God in Jewish texts/prayer.

[Anonymous]

It means g-d in Hebrew. Forbidden to say it outside of prayer.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you can be angry. I have heard this as a name, particularly in African American / inner city, quite frequently - with absolutely zero connections to Judaism. Likely, this family did not know/connect it with the Jewish meaning, and thought it sounded beautiful.

It's not disrespectful if they chose it because they had a neighbor or cousin named it and thought it was beautiful.

Just as you have freedom of religion, they have freedom to not participate and not to know every single little rule and quirk of every other religion, especially one of multiple lesser known words for a deity.

[Anonymous]

So, I am not going to say your concerns are not valid.

HOWEVER, I'm assuming this is a child. I'm also assuming the child is not Jewish and that there is a significant power differential between the two of you even beyond the teacher/student relationship.

With that in mind, her human dignity trumps your religious objections. Her right to be called by her name just like everyone else in the class.

In this case, you need to be the bigger person and accept that this is a problem she's going to have for the rest of her life, but that you are not going to be part of the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I am not going to say your concerns are not valid.

HOWEVER, I'm assuming this is a child. I'm also assuming the child is not Jewish and that there is a significant power differential between the two of you even beyond the teacher/student relationship.

With that in mind, her human dignity trumps your religious objections. Her right to be called by her name just like everyone else in the class.

In this case, you need to be the bigger person and accept that this is a problem she's going to have for the rest of her life, but that you are not going to be part of the issue.

+11111111111111111

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you can be angry. I have heard this as a name, particularly in African American / inner city, quite frequently - with absolutely zero connections to Judaism. Likely, this family did not know/connect it with the Jewish meaning, and thought it sounded beautiful.

It's not disrespectful if they chose it because they had a neighbor or cousin named it and thought it was beautiful.

Just as you have freedom of religion, they have freedom to not participate and not to know every single little rule and quirk of every other religion, especially one of multiple lesser known words for a deity.

+1

Yeah, it's hard because you want people to know that this is sacred to you. But, it's not common knowledge, as evidenced per this thread. And, she didn't name herself. You cannot disrespect her and dehumanize her and belittle her because you disagree with a choice her parents made. Your religion comes second. Her education and her as a PERSON come first.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that is tough. I think I would bring it up with the school admin to see what would be the best course of action. I don't really think you should be forced when that is your religious right.