Anonymous wrote: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.

Don't be ridiculous it's not a curse word, personally you can try not to say it that much but this is so stupid what kind of religion dictates you should discriminate. If they are Jewish that is a diff story!

When my child was 7 he had a horrible teacher. He has an ordinary name that pretty much everyone is familiar with. It also has a common nickname that he doesn’t use. The teacher refused to call him by his name and would only use the nickname that was not his name. We asked her about it and she wouldn’t budge.

Anonymous wrote:Oh my GOD. My daughter's name is Adonai and we transferred kindergartens in late January.

Why on earth did you name your child GOD??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my GOD. My daughter's name is Adonai and we transferred kindergartens in late January.

!!!!

Miss Teacher....busted!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to follow up for those who were curious. The rabbi said that it would be ok to call said student by name. Thanks for encouraging me to call. I feel better going into this with his blessing.

I've got to say, however, that I was really disgusted by all the negative and nasty comments. I don't think it was very nice to jump to conclusions about my character. I was simply trying to gain some perspective. Hopefully you'll think twice before slinging the nasty comments. Or not. Your choice. Thanks to those who showed empathy and gave my quandary some real thought. It was helpful to hear your comments.

I'm not Jewish, but I do work for an organization that rents space in a Conservative synagogue. So, last night, I was speaking with the executive director of the synagogue and I mentioned this story and asked his opinion. He said that Adonai is not the actual name of G-d but is the word used in place of the name of G-d. As such, while it was good to be conscious of not taking the Lord's name in vain, he said that there was no proscription on using Adonai. And, as it is the child's name, it isn't irreverence to G-d to address this child with her name.

So, same answer you got from another source.

This is such a great, practical, concrete post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to follow up for those who were curious. The rabbi said that it would be ok to call said student by name. Thanks for encouraging me to call. I feel better going into this with his blessing.

I've got to say, however, that I was really disgusted by all the negative and nasty comments. I don't think it was very nice to jump to conclusions about my character. I was simply trying to gain some perspective. Hopefully you'll think twice before slinging the nasty comments. Or not. Your choice. Thanks to those who showed empathy and gave my quandary some real thought. It was helpful to hear your comments.

New poster -

I want to suggest you reflect, especially as a kindergarten teacher. You did not present yourself as very open minded, willing to adapt, or kind / compassionate.
To quote you:

"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.

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?

How, pray tell, am I hurting her by calling her Miss ( add her last name)?
?I have rights too, you know.?"

She's a FIVE year old. You're a grown woman. Think about that. Come ON. You really wanted to belittle and dehumanize her. Get over yourself, or maybe consider a new career.

Oh silly Jew, just get over your deeply felt religious convictions.

No.

As a teacher Op should know that singling the child out is wrong. Miss Last name should never have been a consideration.

Ask to have the child reassigned. Even now after speaking with her Rabbi because I would think it could still be very uncomfortable.

OP should have the child reassigned because she admitted she was "pissed" and found it "disrespectful." I don't think she will be fair to the child with those feelings. Being "pissed" that someone doesn't know the name is significant to Jews is not very kind for someone who claims to be religious. Also assuming disrespect when it is entirely more likely that the parents didn't know of its significance in Judaism shows a lack of willingness to consider other points of view. I'm not sure OP is open minded enough to teach a group of kindergarteners from a diverse background. I would have had no issue if OP had said she doesn't feel comfortable calling the student by her name, didn't want to single her out by calling her by her last name, and asked if it is ok to have her reassigned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Orthodox, OP, and wow, what a question. I'd have to ask my rabbi and then abide by his psak. First there's the issue of erasing it if it's written down, and second there's the issue of saying the name in vain, which is a serious prohibition. But it is possible that in this context there is no status of holiness--I asked my rabbi what to do with missionary literature that had YKVK in it and he said there was no status of kedusha in such context and I was safe to throw the whole thing in the garbage. So I have no clue. Ask a shayla and let us know!

First, you are not saying the lord's name in vain, you are saying a little girl's name. Context matters.

Second, are you suggesting that the teacher erase this little girl's name when she writes it down?

Third, it may very well be that part of the curriculum is making sure students can write their names. Just going to skip that for her?

I am not Orthodox, but the PP is simply saying they would have to raise those issues with her rabbi and let HIM weigh them. That is the way matters of Jewish law are dealt with in Orthodox Judaism (and at least theoretically in Conservative Judaism) You go to your local legal decisor - for most orthodox Jews your local Orthodox rabbi (who may consult with other scholars if he is unsure). They may tell you what to do, or they may indicate that Jewish law gives you a choice, in which case then you do have a choice to make.

Reform Jews will make this purely about their personal conscience. Many Conservative and Reconstructionist Jews (and a few Reform Jews) would consult Jewish law, but make the final intrepreation of its demands on their own.

Anonymous wrote:I'm Orthodox, OP, and wow, what a question. I'd have to ask my rabbi and then abide by his psak. First there's the issue of erasing it if it's written down, and second there's the issue of saying the name in vain, which is a serious prohibition. But it is possible that in this context there is no status of holiness--I asked my rabbi what to do with missionary literature that had YKVK in it and he said there was no status of kedusha in such context and I was safe to throw the whole thing in the garbage. So I have no clue. Ask a shayla and let us know!

First, you are not saying the lord's name in vain, you are saying a little girl's name. Context matters.

Second, are you suggesting that the teacher erase this little girl's name when she writes it down?

Third, it may very well be that part of the curriculum is making sure students can write their names. Just going to skip that for her?

Just call her Adonai, for crying out loud. It is just a word, and you will cause major tsoris for yourself if you make an issue out of this. I suppose you can quit your job out of protest, but otherwise you need to respect this child and call her by her given name. Or, ask your Rabbi if this is ok, if you are that religious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my GOD. My daughter's name is Adonai and we transferred kindergartens in late January.

!!!!

Does the teacher call your daughter by her actual name? If not, you now have proof that the teacher sought religious counsel and was told it was fine to call your child by their name.

Anonymous wrote:^^
And Adonis is more and more popular in Hispanic communities.

The word "adon" by itself is not considered sacrosanct in Judaism, unlike the name mentioned by OP. G-d is called Adon Hashalom (lord of peace) for example, and you can say that outside prayer. And the hellenization that transformed it to Adonis hides even that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to follow up for those who were curious. The rabbi said that it would be ok to call said student by name. Thanks for encouraging me to call. I feel better going into this with his blessing.

I've got to say, however, that I was really disgusted by all the negative and nasty comments. I don't think it was very nice to jump to conclusions about my character. I was simply trying to gain some perspective. Hopefully you'll think twice before slinging the nasty comments. Or not. Your choice. Thanks to those who showed empathy and gave my quandary some real thought. It was helpful to hear your comments.

New poster -

I want to suggest you reflect, especially as a kindergarten teacher. You did not present yourself as very open minded, willing to adapt, or kind / compassionate.
To quote you:

"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.

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?

How, pray tell, am I hurting her by calling her Miss ( add her last name)?
?I have rights too, you know.?"

She's a FIVE year old. You're a grown woman. Think about that. Come ON. You really wanted to belittle and dehumanize her. Get over yourself, or maybe consider a new career.

Oh silly Jew, just get over your deeply felt religious convictions.

I totally disagree. If someone named their child God I would have trouble with that. Can you call her Addie?

Anonymous wrote:Oh my GOD. My daughter's name is Adonai and we transferred kindergartens in late January.

!!!!