Unclear on the concept
Our synagogue hosts a preschool. Some, but not all, of the classes are specifically Jewish in theme and focus. The other day I saw something there which took me by surprise.
In the hallway outside each classroom is a row of coathooks, and most classes post the name of each child above a hook. So far, so good - it gives each child the same place every day. Some of the names are, shall we say, unique. Above one hook, though, I saw a name I never expected to see in a synagogue:
Aryan
Words fail me. I understand the origins of the word, its use in linguistics, and all that, but really... I don't understand the cluelessness of some people. If they really wanted the name, and understood the connotations and uses, at the very least don't bring the kid into a synagogue. Some of us are a little sensitive about stuff like this.
In the hallway outside each classroom is a row of coathooks, and most classes post the name of each child above a hook. So far, so good - it gives each child the same place every day. Some of the names are, shall we say, unique. Above one hook, though, I saw a name I never expected to see in a synagogue:
Aryan
Words fail me. I understand the origins of the word, its use in linguistics, and all that, but really... I don't understand the cluelessness of some people. If they really wanted the name, and understood the connotations and uses, at the very least don't bring the kid into a synagogue. Some of us are a little sensitive about stuff like this.