The Surprising Power of Jewish Names
    When it comes to choosing names, Judaism offers several customs. Ashkenazim (Jews of Central and Eastern European origin) typically name the child after a family member who recently died. Sephardim (Jews of Iberian or Middle-Eastern origin) usually name the child after a grandparent, living or dead, often tightening ties between grandparents and their grandchildren. Many Jewish parents in the U.S. give their child a secular name and a Hebrew name, which might be a relative, biblical reference, or Hebrew word they hope to attribute to their child.
    For this first issue of 614, we decided to focus on the intriguing idea that "One's name has an influence on one's life” (Berachot 7b). Can it be that our name actually influences our life journey? Read on.
Enjoy the issue, and let us know what you think.
Michelle Cove, Editor, mcove@brandeis.edu