Naming Pratices, Marriage and Music by https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities Becoming Frum Chapter 3: Importance of names, music, and marriage as a part of constructing BT identity en-us 2016-11-30 19:01:04 UTC 2026-02-02 02:34:30 UTC hello@padlet.com mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277026 2016-12-01 22:45:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277026 Naming Practices mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277100 The majority of orthodox names originate from Hebrew, such as the names of characters from the Bible.
  • Orthodox/Black Hat Jews tend to use Hebrew spellings and pronunciations over the English translations. e.g. Rochel (using the "ch" sound found in Hebrew) rather than Rachel.
  • The names of non-Jewish biblical characters tend not to be used. e.g. Adam, Seth and Ruth.
  • Non-biblical names tend to have a connection to nature or positive personality traits. e.g. Shoshana meaning "rose", Menachem meaning "someone who comforts".
]]> 2016-12-01 22:46:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277100 mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277644 2016-12-01 22:51:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277644 Newcomer (and BT) Dilemma mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277690 Should a newcomer/BT use their given name, or change their name to a more Orthodox-sounding one?
Most BTs are given a new, and Hebrew, name as a part of the conversion process.

BTs experience different kinds of pressure from FFBs, fellow BTs, and their non-Orthodox families to either keep their given name or change it:
  • Most FFBs request a BT's Hebrew name to address them by, regardless of their choice to keep their given name or go by a new one, and FFBs will use Hebrew pronunciations over English ones, e.g. Rivka over Rebecca. 
  • BTs pressure other BTs to use Hebrew pronunciations or change their name to a Hebrew one in order to present as more Orthodox and belong to the community regardless of the individual's personal choice.
  • Non-Orthodox families of BTs often refuse to call BTs by their Orthodox names.
]]> 2016-12-01 22:52:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141277690 mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141278788 Mordechai Ben-David - "Mashiach"]]> 2016-12-01 23:07:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141278788 Music mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141278827 Secular vocal music - emphasis on vocal, as the lyrics may not be considered appropriate - is not heard in homes or at parties. Orthodox Jews have filled this gap by producing their own vocal music with lyrics deemed appropriate and encompassing of their religion. Some popular musicians include Mordechai Ben-David and Shlomo Carlebach.

BTs generally become fans of Orthodox music and it is sometimes a point of pride to say they no longer listen to secular music and even that they now prefer Orthodox music. This is considered a sign of progress in the conversion process.]]> 2016-12-01 23:07:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141278827 Marriage and Children mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141279239 Marriage is highly valued in Orthodox communities. It is very rare for a FFB to remain unmarried past their mid-twenties. Courtship practices are short, averaging about one month before a proposal and three months until marriage. Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden so those who identify as homosexual or with the LGBTQA community generally leave the Orthodox community.

Marriage helps to solidify a BT's observance. Although it is most common for FFBs to marry FFBs and for BTs to marry other BTs, there are instances of mixed marriages between BTs and FFBs. Some BTs seek to marry FFBs in order to better solidify their observance, potentially pass as FFB, and gain status within the community.

Marriage in general serves to better assimilate BTs into the Orthodox community, especially if they have children. However, children of BTs sometimes feel alienated by their non-Orthodox extended families.]]> 2016-12-01 23:13:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141279239 Cultural Capital mwanzad https://padlet.com/mwanzad/Namingpracticesmarriageandmusicinfrumcommunities/wish/141279872 Cultural capital refers to the non-economic, but still sometimes material, aspects of an expression of identity that can encourage social mobility. E.g. clothing, hairstyles, knowing how to prepare certain foods, as well as various other kinds of education and expertise.

There is a great deal of variety in the Orthodox community. Cultural capital is based on food, dress, home decoration and music. Although BTs entirely lack cultural capital within the community to begin with, they begin to accumulate it over time. FFBs generally find BTs refreshing in their lack of cultural capital because of their great enthusiasm to learn which is seen as enhancing FFBs enthusiasm for their own observance in turn.

The concept of cultural capital also helps to explain why BTs do not always conform, or pick and choose how to conform, to the Orthodox standard and norm.
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